William H. Beck
Agency patch
Policeman

William H. Beck

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO
Felonious
End of Watch May 2, 1908
The Vigil Panel 22 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Policeman Beck was shot and killed after interrupting a burglary on 16th Street. While walking his beat at approximately 0300 hours he discovered the rear door of a business opened. He entered the business to leave a note for the owner when he was shot by someone inside. The suspect fled the scene and was never apprehended.

Survivors

Policeman Beck was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-954D862B
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.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Beck served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Beck.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Denver, CO
Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 2, 1908
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Never apprehended

Policeman William H. Beck 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.

Denver Police Department
55
of 74 officers
74.3% Felonious
CO — Statewide
235
of 360 officers
65.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William H. Beck's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How William H. Beck Compares

Offender Outcome

Never apprehended

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Beck is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Beck was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518