Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman William Wilhelm was shot and killed at the intersection of Clinton Street and Madison Street (Catfish Alley) while attempting to arrest a man on a warrant.
He and several other officers located the man and informed him he was under arrest for breach of the peace. The man protested and demanded to go across the street. As one of other officers grabbed his arm the subject produced a .38 caliber revolver and shot Policeman Wilhelm several times. The man was then subdued by the other officers.
Policeman Wilhelm was taken to Kings Daughters Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject, who had stolen the revolver from the commissioner of the Kentucky Game and Fish Commission, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled October 12, 1951.
Policeman Wilhelm was a WWI veteran and had served with the Frankfort Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two stepchildren, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-DF828A60- 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.
Policeman Wilhelm gave the Frankfort Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Frankfort community. Thank you 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 H. Wilhelm, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman William H. Wilhelm, Jr. 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Frankfort Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William H. Wilhelm, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William H. Wilhelm, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1951
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Wilhelm, Jr. is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Wilhelm, Jr. was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Frankfort Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
