Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Wagner was shot and killed near midnight when he and his partner stopped to question four suspicious men standing next to a grocery store door. One of the men began to run from the scene and was chased by Officer Wagner. The man ducked into a storefront, produced a handgun, and shot Officer Wagner in the heart and left hand. Although mortally wounded, Patrolman Wagner got back up and chased the man into a nearby alley and returned fire before collapsing again. The suspects were arrested and charged with murder two days later. Patrolman Wagner's 26-year-old killer was ultimately sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled in 1951.
Survivors
Patrolman Wagner had served with the Detroit Police Department for 14 months and was survived by his parents and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-1A1017B1- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Wagner gave the Detroit Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wagner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William E. Wagner 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William E. Wagner's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Wagner Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1951
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Wagner is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Wagner was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
