Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Officer William Wiles was shot and killed while investigating an illegal still. As Officer Wiles and two other officers attempted to arrest the suspect at the still the man ran back to his car and grabbed a handgun. The suspect then opened fire on Officer Wiles, killing him. The other two officers forced him to surrender. The man claimed he shot in self defense. On May 5, 1925, the suspect, 31, was convicted of manslaughter after two trials and sentenced to 10 years. Officer Wiles had served with the Kern County District Attorney's Office for one year and was assigned to the Prohibition Squad. He had previously served as a constable in Wasco for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-0F89BF5B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Officer Wiles gave the Kern County District Attorney's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bakersfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Wiles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Officer William W. Wiles 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 97,756 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William W. Wiles's cause is highlighted.
How William W. Wiles Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William W. Wiles is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William W. Wiles was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Kern County District Attorney's Office are honored on badge.nw.