William D. Krikava

Tampa Police Department — Tampa, FL

Felonious

End of Watch January 1, 1965

Age 35

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

The Vigil Panel 100 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 28

Incident

Officer William Krikava was shot and killed while investigating a burglary in progress at a store at 1714 South Dale Mabry Highway. He was flagged down by a dress shop owner shortly after midnight. As he entered the rear fitting room of the business, he surprised a man and his wife stealing clothes. The male suspect opened fire, striking Officer Krikava six times. Officer Krikava was able to return fire and wound the suspect. Both suspects were apprehended and charged with first-degree murder. Both were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on July 20th, 1965. In 1979 the man had his appeal for a new trial denied. Officer Krikava had served with the Tampa Police Department for 10 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and five children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FL-67327F85
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.
Officer Krikava gave the Tampa Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tampa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Krikava.

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

Agency

Department Tampa Police Department

Type Other

Location Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL

Platform Identity tpd.hillsborough.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 1, 1965

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Officer William D. Krikava 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Tampa Police Department, 21 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.4% of this agency's fallen.

Tampa Police Department

of 29 officers

72.4% Felonious

FL — Statewide

539

of 1,008 officers

53.5% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious