Roll of Honor
William Reed Templin
Incident
Patrolman William Templin was shot and killed while he and his partner patrolled the company's yards in Chicago, Illinois. Patrolman Templin, who was an unarmed probationary officer, had been separated from his partner by a passing train as they checked rail cars at 71st Street and the Chicago Skyway. He was attacked by a radical racist group and shot execution style. One of the suspects was later shot and killed by other officers. The other two suspects were convicted, served jail time, and have since been released. Patrolman Templin was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Penn Central Railroad Police Department for only three weeks. Survivors include his mother. He is buried in St. Casimir Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. The Black Liberation Army was a violent, radical group that attempted to fight for independence from the United States government in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The BLA was responsible for the murders of more than 10 police officers and the wounding of many more law enforcement officers. Please click here to visit all the law enforcement officers who have died as a result of the Black Liberation Army's violent activism.
Survivors
Survivors include his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-6A1D427F- 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.
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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.
Patrolman Templin served with the Penn Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia 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 Reed Templin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman William Reed Templin 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Reed Templin's cause is highlighted.
How William Reed Templin Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Reed Templin is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Reed Templin was killed by gun; unknown type.