Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police David Wilson was shot and killed when he went to answer a call about a troubled man he had helped earlier in the day. The suspect killed himself immediately after killing the chief. Chief Wilson had served with the Payson Police Department for 14 years and had been in law enforcement for 30 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-5696AC6B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew David. 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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Wilson gave the Payson Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Payson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police David Neal Wilson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Neal Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How David Neal Wilson Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed Suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Neal Wilson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Neal Wilson was killed by gun; unknown type.