William Oliver

Roseville Police Department — Roseville, MI

Felonious

End of Watch July 12, 1937

Age 56

The Vigil Panel 73 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Patrolman Oliver and Patrolman Lawrence Cooney were shot and killed by a juvenile suspect who was being arrested for burglarizing a local gas station. The suspect and a second juvenile suspect were handcuffed together and being placed into a patrol car when one of them grabbed Patrolman Oliver's service weapon and shot him. Patrolman Cooney, hearing the shot, rushed to the scene and was shot at by the suspects. He began to chase the suspects and as he rounded the corner he was shot several times. Although wounded, he continued to fire at the suspects. He then drove himself to the police station where he collapsed. Patrolman Oliver was taken to a local hospital by a passing milkman. Patrolman Oliver succumbed to his wounds on July 12, 1937. The 19 year-old suspect was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled January 25, 1963.

Survivors

Patrolman Oliver was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-C6D8B797
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.

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

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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Oliver served with the Roseville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roseville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Oliver.

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

Agency

Department Roseville Police Department

Location Roseville, MI

Platform Identity rosepd.macomb.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 12, 1937

Age 56

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Paroled in 1963

Patrolman William Oliver 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Roseville Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Roseville Police Department

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious