Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police William Fancil was shot and killed when he surprised three subjects at about 2:20 am as they were attempting to burglarize the soft drink bottle shed at Big John's Supermarket. Chief Fancil was beginning to search two of the men when a third suspect came out and began firing. Chief Fancil emptied his revolver, wounding two of the three burglars and was struck by return gunfire from one of the suspects. Chief Fancil was transported to Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson where he died from his wounds. The gunman was convicted of murder and burglary and sentenced to 60 to 87 years in prison. The second suspect pleaded guilty to murder and burglary and was sentenced to 16 to 40 years. The third suspect was convicted of burglary. Chief Fancil had served with the Oblong Police Department for 10 months and had previously served as a deputy sheriff.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two young sons, parents, four brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-E011AD48- 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.
Chief of Police Fancil gave the Oblong Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oblong community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Fancil.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police William Jack Fancil 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 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 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Jack Fancil's cause is highlighted.
How William Jack Fancil Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 60 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Jack Fancil is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Jack Fancil was killed by handgun; revolver.