Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Waggoner succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on December 23rd, 1930, while attempting to apprehend four kidnapping suspects.
He and two other officers came across the men in a parked vehicle near the docks in Long Beach. The man had been suspected of kidnapping a wealthy gambler, his wife, and their houseboy.
One of the suspects was a former lieutenant of Al Capone's gang Chicago, Illinois. All four were aquitted of assault with intent to commit murder in connection with Patrolman Waggoner's shooting. The ringleader of the gang was subsequently convicted of kidnapping the gambler and sentenced to life in prison.
Patrolman Waggoner became paralyzed as a result of the wound. His condition continued to worsen and he died as a result of complications of the wound on December 18th, 1954. His death was ruled a homicide by the coroner.
Patrolman Waggoner was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and three grandchildren.
Survivors
Patrolman Waggoner was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CA-24A46D88- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Waggoner served with the Long Beach Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Long Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Waggoner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William H. Waggoner 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Long Beach Police Department, 13 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 46.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William H. Waggoner's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Waggoner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Waggoner is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Waggoner was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Long Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
