William Allen Claassen
Agency patch
Patrolman

William Allen Claassen

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO
Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch February 11, 1953
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Claassen was shot and killed while he and his partner investigated a burglary-in-progress at a local pharmacy.

When they entered the store the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding Patrolman Claassen. Both officers were able to return fire and kill the suspect.

Patrolman Claassen was a U.S. Navy veteran. He is buried at Fairmont Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpc0p3nyhagfe56hfamy
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Claassen served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Denver, Denver County, CO
Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 11, 1953
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Military Service

William Allen Claassen served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

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

When

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Denver Police Department has 74 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Patrolman William Allen Claassen

Denver Police Department · End of Watch February 11, 1953

Military Service

William Allen Claassen served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.

Visit William Allen Claassen’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W

Also Remembered

salute.nw →

↑