William Willard

Connecticut Department of Correction — Wethersfield, CT

Felonious

End of Watch August 14, 1870

Age 51

The Vigil Panel 4 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Warden William Willard stabbed to death by an inmate at the Wethersfield State Prison.

It was the custom of Warden Willard to walk through the prison every other Sunday and listen to the complaints of the inmates. During his walk-through Warden Willard was called over to the cell of one inmate to read a note. The note said, "To Mr. Capt. Willard, please read the other side." When Warden Willard turned the note over, the inmate pushed a cane with a knife stuck to the end through the bars and stabbed Warden Willard in the stomach. While struggling to get the knife away from the inmate, Warden Willard was more seriously injured. He died three hours later from the wounds.

The inmate, who was serving 16 years for burglary, killed Warden Willard so that he could be transferred to the city jail, which was easier to escape from, while on trial for the murder. The inmate had been unable to escape from the state prison and felt he would have a better chance of escape at the city jail.

The suspect was convicted of murder and executed on October 13th, 1871, at the Hartford County Jail.

The Willard Building of the Willard-Cybulski Correctional Facility in Enfield, Connecticut, is named for Warden Willard.

Warden Willard, it has been 154 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your years of law enforcement service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall Georges Mills, NH August 14th, 2024

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CT-0522AA4F
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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

156 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Warden Willard served with the Connecticut Department of Correction.
Thank you for your service to the Wethersfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Connecticut Department of Correction

Location Wethersfield, CT

Platform Identity cdc.capitol.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 14, 1870

Age 51

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Stabbed

Weapon Edged weapon; Knife

Offender Executed on October 13, 1871

Warden William Willard 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Connecticut Department of Correction, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Connecticut Department of Correction

of 5 officers

100% Felonious

CT — Statewide

of 169 officers

43.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious