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William George Grimes
Incident
Special Watchman William Grimes was struck and killed by a train while guarding a railroad bridge one mile south of Collinsville, Texas.
He had been assigned to guard the bridge as part of the military's efforts to protect troop movements toward the Mexican border.
Watchman Grimes was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Watchman Grimes was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Special Watchman Grimes served with the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Watchman Grimes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Police Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,423 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 2 officers at Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1916, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1916, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1916, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 38. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 38; the middle age was 38.
William was 38. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36.
William was 38. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
William was 38. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
July holds 40% of these deaths at Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 20%.
July holds 7.5% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Tuesdays: 13.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
