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William Louis Pappan
Agency patch
Investigator

William Louis Pappan

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit — Washington, DC
Felonious
United States flag District of Columbia flag
End of Watch December 4, 1935
Age 41
Tour of Duty 4 mo
The Vigil Panel 70 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 29

Incident

Location: Oklahoma Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to 5 years

Investigator William Pappan and a private investigator were shot and killed while inspecting beer licenses at the Sheridan Club at 51st Street and Sheridan Road in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Two employees at the club approached and assaulted them as they spoke to the bouncer. As the struggle moved outside both investigators were beaten and fatally shot.

One employee was convicted of first-degree manslaughter, for the death of Investigator Pappan, and sentenced to five years. The trial was very complicated with questions as to if Investigator Pappan and the private investigator acted in an official capacity and manner that proved to the suspects that they were legit.

Investigator Pappan had served with the Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit for only four months and had previously served with the Tulsa Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and six children.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Investigator Pappan served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Pappan.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit
Type Federal Agency
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdtirsatufed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 4, 1935
Tour of Duty 4 mo
Age 41
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 41. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit has 30 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Investigator William Louis Pappan

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit · End of Watch December 4, 1935

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E

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