Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman William Kilroy was shot and killed by a man he suspected of committing several burglaries in Nevada City. Night Watchman Kilroy began to follow the subject whenever he came into town. Shortly after midnight on March 30th, Watchman Kilroy encountered the subject at a saloon and was confronted by the man. The two walked a short distance to the intersection of Broad Street and Pine Street, where the man threatened Watchman Kilroy. As Watchman Kilroy grabbed the man's shoulders, the subject shot him in the chest, causing them to both fall to the ground. The subject stood up and then shot Watchman Kilroy in the head, killing him. The man fled but was arrested by the county sheriff several days later. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died at Folsom Prison on August 2nd, 1922.
Survivors
Night Watchman Kilroy was survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-1D2E3944- 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
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Night Watchman Kilroy served with the Nevada City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nevada City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman William H. Kilroy 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 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nevada City Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William H. Kilroy's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Kilroy Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Kilroy is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Kilroy was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nevada City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
