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Incident
Marshal William Tilghman was shot and killed after arresting a corrupt federal prohibition agent for public intoxication. Marshal Tilghman observed the man stumbling in the street carrying a pistol. As he was escorting the man to jail, the suspect pulled out another pistol he had concealed in his pants and shot Marshal Tilghman three times.
The suspect was acquitted of Marshal Tilghman's murder by a corrupt judicial system. The same suspect shot and killed Agent Crockett Long, of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, in 1932 as revenge for being arrested by him. The man also blamed Agent Long for his failure to be hired by the agency.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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54 years. You could have gone home.
City Marshal Tilghman gave the Cromwell Police Department 54 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Cromwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Tilghman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Cromwell Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 7 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 70. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 54 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 70. 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 54 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 70. 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 54 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.2% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cromwell Police Department.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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