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Incident
Detective Sergeant William Jurgens was shot and killed while assisting another officer arrest a suspect in a kidnapping case. As Sergeant Jurgens pulled up to the scene of the arrest, the man was able to gain control of the other officer's weapon and began shooting. Sergeant Jurgens was struck in the head and the other officer was wounded. The suspect was apprehended by other officers arriving on the scene. A woman, who the suspect had abducted at knife point from a nightclub, escaped unharmed during the shooting. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and attempted murder and sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison October 8, 1958. On October 7, 1973, he escaped from the Iowa Penitentiary. On December 3, 1975, he was captured by an FBI agent near Clovis, New Mexico. He died in prison August 27, 1996. Sergeant Jurgens had served with the agency for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
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.
Detective Sergeant Jurgens gave the Davenport Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Davenport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Jurgens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Davenport Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1958, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 46. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. William had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 46. 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. William had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.3% of these deaths in IA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 20.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Davenport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Davenport Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Davenport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
