Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Billy West was shot and killed while searching for several men who had robbed a citizen earlier in the day.
At 1:00 am, a man notified Patrolman West and another officer that he had been bound, gagged, and robbed in his home. They searched the businesses in the area and believed they found the vehicle and subjects in a dark garage at 114 South Harrison Street. While his partner had two suspects outside, Patrolman West entered the office with a flashlight, hoping to find more evidence. As he crouched over a suitcase, a third subject, hiding behind the desk, shot Patrolman West in his thigh. Patrolman West fired back, but the bullets tore through the desk. The man fired another shot into his heart. Patrolman West died before the ambulance arrived.
Three men were apprehended and charged in connection with Patrolman West's murder. One, who turned in state evidence, had his charges dismissed. The triggerman, 35, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life on October 15, 1931. He was paroled on January 11, 1943.
Patrolman West was a United States Army World War I veteran and served with the Cushing Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-4E474DBA- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman West gave the Cushing Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cushing community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William A. West served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman William A. West 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 69.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cushing Police Department, 2 of 2 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. William A. West's cause is highlighted.
How William A. West Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William A. West is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William A. West was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
William A. West served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William A. West’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cushing Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
