Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer William Staples and Officer John Lonergan were shot and killed by a suspect who had been annoying young women. When the call came in, Officers Staples and Lonergan responded and attempted to arrest the subject on Harris Avenue. Unexpectedly, the subject ran into a nearby yard and turned and fired, killing Officer Staples with shots to the throat and chest. Officer Lonergan, joined by another patrolman, continued to pursue the suspect who ran toward a neighboring house on Autumn Street and, upon approaching the house, turned and shot Officer Lonergan in the abdomen. The officer, while mortally injured, continued to fire in the direction of the fleeing suspect. The suspect forced his way into a house, forcing the occupant out. The suspect then began shooting at responding patrolmen through the windows of the home. When the shooting stopped, police officers carefully entered the home and located the suspect hiding in a closet. When he refused to give himself up, they fired into the closet, causing him to surrender. Officer Lonergan was rushed to Whidden Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds five days later. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. The suspect was declared insane and sent to an insane asylum. Officer Staples was a United States Coast Guard veteran and had served with the Everett Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-5C309B2E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Police Officer Staples gave the Everett Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Everett 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William P. Staples served in the U.S. Coast Guard before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer William P. Staples is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.
In MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.5 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At Everett Police Department, 3 of 3 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 P. Staples's cause is highlighted.
How William P. Staples Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William P. Staples is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William P. Staples was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
William P. Staples served in the U.S. Coast Guard before joining law enforcement.
Visit William P. Staples’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Everett Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
