Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William O'Malley was shot and killed after responding to an armed robbery at the First National Bank of East Chicago at Chicago Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard. The robbery was being committed by members of The Dillinger Gang. As the offenders were leaving the bank, shots were exchanged by the suspects before they fled the scene. Despite being mortally wounded by machine-gun fire, allegedly by John Dillinger, Patrolman O'Malley returned fire multiple times. John Dillinger was uninjured as he was wearing a bullet-resistant vest. Patrolman O'Malley served two years with the East Chicago Police Department. He was survived by his wife and three daughters. Led by John Dillinger, the Dillinger Gang was a notorious group of Midwest bank robbers. Associates of the gang were responsible for the fatal shootings of 13 law enforcement officers in 1933 and 1934. Two infamous members of the gang, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson, were shot and killed by law enforcement officers in separate incidents. The other gang members were either murdered by criminals, shot and killed by law enforcement officers, executed for their crimes, or sentenced to time in prison. Click here to see all the officers killed by members of the Dillinger Gang
Survivors
Survivors Foundation
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IN-24EEF317- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman O'Malley gave the East Chicago Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Malley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Patrick O'Malley 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 61.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At East Chicago Police Department, 8 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Patrick O'Malley's cause is highlighted.
How William Patrick O'Malley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Patrick O'Malley is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Patrick O'Malley was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from East Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
