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Patrolman

William F. Messenger

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch April 25, 1901

Age 30

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Badge 71

The Vigil Panel 42 · Column 4 · Line 2 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 570

Incident

Patrolman William F. Messenger was shot and killed by a man whom he had argued with earlier in the day. The gunman entered the Harrison Street Police Station and told Patrolman Messenger to take back what he had said earlier. When Patrolman Messenger told the man to leave the station, the attacker pulled out a revolver and started shooting, striking Patrolman Messenger in the chest and side. A second officer, James Scully, returned fire, wounding the gunman and knocking away his weapon as he attempted to commit suicide. The gunman was taken into custody and died of his wounds the following day. Patrolman Messenger was taken to St. Luke's hospital where he died from his wounds the next day. Patrolman Messenger was a U.S. Army veteran and had been with the Chicago Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

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

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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 Messenger gave the Chicago Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago 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

Department Chicago Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Chicago, Cook County, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 25, 1901

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 30

Badge Number 71

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Military Service

William F. Messenger served in the U.S. Army 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.

Compare against

Time

In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

William was 30. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded