Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Ellis was shot and killed after responding to a service station after receiving reports that weapons were inside a car that had been brought in for service by two brothers. When Marshal Ellis arrived at the scene he discovered that the car had been stolen from Kansas. A shootout broke out between the marshal and the two brothers. One of the brothers was mortally wounded by Marshal Ellis. The other brother, who shot Marshall Ellis in the throat, escaped.
Survivors
Marshal Ellis was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-44ADC196- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Ellis served with the Bartlesville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bartlesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Ellis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal William Summer Ellis 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 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 Bartlesville Police Department, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Summer Ellis's cause is highlighted.
How William Summer Ellis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Summer Ellis is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Summer Ellis was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Bartlesville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
