Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Boss Bias was shot and killed by one of the town's former deputy marshals who had recently been released from prison.
The former deputy marshal and the town's former marshal had both been arrested by federal prohibition agents and convicted of prohibition charges. When they were removed from office, Marshal Bias was replaced as the new marshal in 1927.
Upon the deputy marshal's release, he and Marshal Bias had several encounters and disagreements. On the night of July 23, 1935, the former deputy marshal and two other men shot at Marshal Bias as they drove past him. Marshal Bias pursued them a short distance until the other vehicle stopped. As he exited his police car, the three suspects opened fire, killing him.
All three men were arrested and charged with Marshal Bias' murder. Two were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 to 20 years.
Marshal Bias had served as marshal of the Proctorville Police Department from 1927-1932 and then again when he was killed in 1935.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-D16A0B5C- 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.
Town Marshal Bias gave the Proctorville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Proctorville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Bias.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal William Wilbur "Boss" Bias 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Proctorville 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 Wilbur "Boss" Bias's cause is highlighted.
How William Wilbur "Boss" Bias Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Wilbur "Boss" Bias is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Wilbur "Boss" Bias was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Proctorville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
