Roll of Honor
William R. Rank
Incident
Location: Pennsylvania Incident Date: Tuesday, May 15, 1906 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Charged with murder
Special Officer William Rank succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on May 15th, 1906, while attempting to arrest a trespasser in the Rutherford Yards near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Officer Rank observed a man jumping on an outbound freight train. As he attempted to arrest the man, the subject drew a handgun and shot him in the neck.
The man who shot Officer Rank was identified as a local farmhand but fled the area after the shooting. It is not known if he was ever apprehended.
Officer Rank was taken to a hospital in Harrisburg where he remained for one week. He was discharged from the hospital and remained at his home until passing away from his wound on June 16th, 1906.
Officer Rank, it never fails to amaze me how many over the years turned what would be a simple 'trespass' arrest into murder. Why? We'll never know, although there are no doubt many reasons, but none good.
Brother, thank you for helping to protect one of America's greatest assets, it's railroads. May God Bless you and may you forever Rest in Peace.
Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr. Harvard University Police Department July 20th, 2020
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- 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.
Special Officer Rank served with the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Police.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Rank.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Officer William R. Rank 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Police, 2 of 2 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 R. Rank's cause is highlighted.
How William R. Rank Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Rank is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William R. Rank was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Police are honored on badge.nw.
