William A. Roberts
Agency patch
Patrolman

William A. Roberts

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch May 14, 1920
Age 30
Badge 3566
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William A. Roberts was shot and killed while questioning a man on Drexel Boulevard at approximately 2:00 a.m. Officer Roberts observed a suspicious man carrying a bag. Unknown to the officer, the man had just robbed an Illinois Central Railroad mail car. When Officer Roberts attempted to question the man as to the contents of he bag, the man drew a gun and opened fire. A gun battle ensued, in which Officer Roberts was mortally wounded. He succumbed to the wounds 8 hours later. Other officers traced the man to a location on East 51st Street early the following morning. Officer Roberts' killer was shot and killed in the ensuing gun battle.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtppypfrpvmt97h6w7b3x
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.

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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Roberts served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Roberts.

— 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 May 14, 1920
Age 30
Badge Number 3566
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
  2. See the roll
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

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.

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

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

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

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

Across the years

Patrolman William A. Roberts

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch May 14, 1920

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E

↑