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Incident
Police Officer Bill Bean was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to stop a man wanted on an outstanding warrant.
The suspect vehicle pulled over and started to drive again, leading the officers on a low-speed pursuit. The vehicle stopped after becoming disabled in the area of Knightlinger Street and South Avenue. As Officer Bean exited the patrol car the man opened fire, striking him several times. One round entered through the armhole in his vest. Officer Bean's partner returned fire but did not strike the suspect, who was captured several hours later after a manhunt.
The man was convicted of Officer Bean's murder and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without parole on December 18th, 2003.
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.
Police Officer Bean gave the Sacramento Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sacramento community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bean.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sacramento Police Department has lost 17 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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 1999, 1 officer at Sacramento Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1963, with 2.
In 1999, 4 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 101st heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1999, 58 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 133rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1999, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 28. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Sacramento Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.3 and 37.8; the middle age was 28. William had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
William was 28. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. William had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 28. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 28. 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 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Sacramento Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 30%.
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 12%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.8% of all 17 deaths at Sacramento Police Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Sacramento Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, William among them.
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George C. Chapman Apr 28, 1858
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Joseph Scott Dec 7, 1878
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Charles H. Wetzel
Aug 29, 1893
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Frank Auener Lungershausen
Dec 27, 1935
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Frank Fragoso Mello
Jun 30, 1951
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Arnold Z. Gamble
Feb 15, 1963
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Eugene Edgar McKnight
Jul 23, 1963
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Bernard M. Bennett
May 13, 1970
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Andrew Lee Collins
Apr 19, 1972
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Doyle Allen Popovich
Aug 3, 1974
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Rodney Taylor Butts
Oct 15, 1975
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William Henry Warner
Jun 1, 1981
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Michael David Gartrell
Apr 25, 1991
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Emily Jewett Morgenroth
Oct 17, 1997
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William Chandler Bean, Jr.
Feb 9, 1999
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Matthew M Prichard Apr 20, 2008
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Tara Christina O'Sullivan
Jun 19, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Sacramento Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
