William McPherson

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO

Felonious

End of Watch March 12, 1912

Age 35

The Vigil Panel 26 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 73

Incident

Policeman William McPherson was shot and killed after being ambushed. He was talking with the barkeeper in a saloon when two masked men entered and opened fire on them. Policeman McPherson was able to return fire and wound one of the suspects. Policeman McPherson succumbed to his injuries three days later. The barkeeper died at the scene. One of the suspects surrendered to the police a short time later. The other suspect was easily captured and it was discovered that he had been shot twice. The suspect who surrendered told police that they intended to rob the saloon. Police discovered that he shot the other suspect out of anger when he saw him shoot Policeman McPherson and the barkeeper. The suspect who did the killing was sentenced to death and hanged on Febuary 26, 1916. The other suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life.

Survivors

Policeman McPherson was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CO-C19A306C
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.
Policeman McPherson served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman McPherson.

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

Agency

Department Denver Police Department

Location Denver, CO

Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 12, 1912

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Executed in 1916

Policeman William McPherson 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.

Denver Police Department

of 74 officers

74.3% Felonious

CO — Statewide

235

of 360 officers

65.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious