Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Patrolman

William Nathan Shapiro

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch April 26, 1974

Age 36

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Badge 2247

The Vigil Panel 113 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 118

Incident

Patrolman Bill Shapiro was shot and killed by a sniper who had been shooting at traffic at Baldwin Reservoir at Fairhill Road. Patrolman Shapiro and other officers had responded to the scene two previous times but were unable to locate the suspect. When they arrived the third time, the suspect ambushed them and shot Patrolman Shapiro using a shotgun. It was Patrolman Shapiro's 36th birthday. The 21-year-old suspect was charged with Patrolman Shapiro's murder and found not guilty by reason of insanity and was remanded to a state hospital. He was denied a release on January 13, 1978. On March 30, 1982, he escaped but was recaptured the next day. As of 2016, he was in a mental hospital in Northfield. Patrolman Shapiro was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for five years. He was survived by his wife, four children, parents, and brother. One of his sons served with the Cleveland Police Department. He is buried at Lakewood Park Cemetery in Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, four children, parents, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-A0DFA3F2
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Shapiro gave the Cleveland Division of Police 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Cleveland Division of Police

Type Other

Location Cleveland, OH

Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 26, 1974

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 36

Badge Number 2247

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Military Service

William Nathan Shapiro served in the U.S. Navy (1955â1959) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman William Nathan Shapiro 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 97,759 officers honored here.

In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.

Cleveland Division of Police

of 119 officers

69.7% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious