Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Bill Gravell was shot and killed while questioning a possible illegal immigrant from Mexico on AZ 77 and West Linda Vista Boulevard. During the questioning, he requested backup. When the backup arrived, they located Detective Gravell's body with two gunshot wounds in the chest. Detective Gravell was a United States Navy veteran and had served in law enforcement for 25 years and had previously served with the Dallas, Texas, Police Department and Boulder County, Colorado, Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-39CBBF78- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Willis is one person.
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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.
Detective Gravell gave the Oro Valley Police Department 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oro Valley 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
Willis Henry Gravell served in the U.S. Navy (1956â1964) before joining law enforcement.
Detective Willis Henry Gravell 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 61.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willis Henry Gravell's cause is highlighted.
How Willis Henry Gravell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willis Henry Gravell is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willis Henry Gravell was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Willis Henry Gravell served in the U.S. Navy (1956–1964) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Willis Henry Gravell’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Oro Valley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.