Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Christopher Willems was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop in a parking lot at 1104 West 31st Street. While questioning the three occupants he grew suspicious of one of them. The man, who had an outstanding warrant, had given Deputy Willems his brother's name. Deputy Willems was granted permission to search the van and he located a small amount of marijuana. As he placed the suspect under arrest a struggle ensued. During the struggle one of the other men grabbed a .357 caliber revolver from the van and shot Deputy Willems in the leg and then in the head, killing him. The suspect who had struggled with Deputy Willems and the one who shot him were both convicted of his murder and sent to prison. One died in prison in 2020. The third suspect, who had run from the scene prior to the shooting, was not charged. Deputy Willems had served with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department for 7-1/2 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-84F0FC2A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Willems gave the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Willems.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Christopher C. Willems is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 70.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department, 10 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Christopher C. Willems's cause is highlighted.
How Christopher C. Willems Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Christopher C. Willems is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Christopher C. Willems was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
