William E. Hennessy
Agency patch
Patrolman

William E. Hennessy

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch August 23, 1920
Badge 2461
Gender Male

Incident

Officer William Hennessy and his partner were assigned to check on the conduct of patrons in a nightclub. When they arrived, an altercation ensued in which Officer Hennessy's partner was attacked by an offender. When Officer Hennessy rushed to his partner's aid, the offender began to fire a gun. Both Officer Hennessy and his partner, Officer James Mulcahy were fatally wounded. Two men were arrested and held by the coroner. Both men were indicted in August, 1920; On October 20, 1921, both were acquitted. One of the suspects died in a horse riding accident in 1923 and the other suspect died in 1939.

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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.
Patrolman Hennessy served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hennessy.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 23, 1920
Badge Number 2461
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

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
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
III

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
IV

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Patrolman William E. Hennessy

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch August 23, 1920

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E

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