Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Satters was shot and killed when he was approached by a man as he was walking home after his shift at Sixth and Stone Streets in Cincinnati. A man asked Patrolman Satters what could be done about another man that was always stopping him and pulling a gun on him, to which Patrolman Satters advised the man that he could have the harasser arrested. While talking, the man pointed across the street and identified the suspect. Patrolman Satters called out to the man and started to cross the street. The suspect stepped off the curb and began walking toward the officer. When they were about 20 feet apart the suspect pulled a .38 caliber revolver and began firing at the Patrolman Satters without saying a word. Despite being shot twice and mortally wounded, Patrolman Satters was able to draw his own weapon and return fire, striking the man five times. However, the suspect was able to survive his wounds and crawl to a step in front of 757 West Sixth Street where he reloaded his revolver but was tackled by other officers without being able to fire any further shots. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. As of 1923, he was still in prison. Patrolman Satters had served with the Cincinnati Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children and is buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-19D6B65E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Satters gave the Cincinnati Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Satters.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Satters 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 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 Cincinnati Police Department, 63 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Satters's cause is highlighted.
How William Satters Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Satters is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Satters was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Cincinnati Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
