Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer William Heins was shot and killed after he attempted to arrest a suspect for robbery. The suspect and his twin brother, both 18, had just robbed the O.K. Saloon on the corner of Pacific Street and Montgomery Street when Officer Heins encountered them. The suspect drew a gun and shot and killed Officer Heins. Both suspects were arrested and the shooter was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on June 2, 1919. His brother was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Officer Heins had been with the agency for 12 years. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-479B1A1E- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Heins gave the San Francisco Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Heins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer William Henry Heins 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 San Francisco Police Department, 66 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Henry Heins's cause is highlighted.
How William Henry Heins Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1919
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Henry Heins is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Henry Heins was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from San Francisco Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
