Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal W.E. "Dump" Oakes succumbed to wounds he suffered almost four weeks earlier after being shot by a hotel and saloon keeper whom he had told to remove a lewd woman from inside his saloon on Front Street.
At approximately 10:00 am, Marshal Oakes had delivered his order and turned to walk away when the keeper shot him in the back. Reeling about, Marshal Oakes was able to fire three shots at the subject, killing him. Marshal Oakes died from his wound nearly four weeks later.
Marshal Oakes was filling the unexpired term of Marshal Gus H. Crouch who was shot and killed on February 7th, 1901.
City Marshal Oakes, On today, the 120th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Metropolis.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol June 29th, 2021
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
City Marshal Oakes served with the Metropolis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Metropolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Oakes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal W. E. Oakes 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Metropolis Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. W. E. Oakes's cause is highlighted.
How W. E. Oakes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. W. E. Oakes is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. W. E. Oakes was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Metropolis Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
