Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer William Hayes was shot and killed while searching for a suspect on Nineteenth Street near Lucas Avenue. Officer Hayes and two special officers had heard gunshots in the area and went to investigate. Officer Hayes stopped a man and began to search him. The man suddenly stepped back, produced a revolver from his coat sleeve, and shot Officer Hayes in the stomach and leg. Officer Hayes was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect was apprehended and taken to the hospital where he was positively identified by Officer Hayes before he succumbed to the gunshot wounds. The man was convicted and sentenced to life but won a second trial in which he was acquitted. Officer Hayes had been with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife and four children. After his death, his wife was appointed as a female detective.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-CB8655E1- 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.
Police Officer Hayes gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hayes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William F. Hayes 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 112 of 176 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William F. Hayes's cause is highlighted.
How William F. Hayes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William F. Hayes is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William F. Hayes was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
175 officers from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
