Prev
Incident
Sanitary Officer W.L. Steele was shot and killed with his own service revolver after making an arrest for a minor offense at 11:15 am. He was walking the suspect to jail when the man began to fight with him. The suspect was able to gain control of Officer Steele's gun and shot him in the chest. The man fled but was later apprehended and convicted of murdering Officer Steele. He was executed by hanging on June 16, 1905. Sanitary Officer Steele was responsible for enforcing the city's municipal health code.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtprwy5g2a9537h1xk5d4- 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 W.. 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.
Sanitary Officer Steele served with the Decatur Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sanitary Officer Steele.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Decatur Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
W. is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
W. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
W. 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 1905, 2 officers at Decatur Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1905, 5 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1905, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Decatur Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 20%.
April holds 8.1% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Fridays: 14.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Decatur Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.7% 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
Decatur Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, W. among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
