Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Dick Rice was shot and killed as he attempted to disarm a drunk man who had been waving his shotgun around and making threats.
The man fled to his home when he saw Marshal Rice approach. As Marshal Rice attempted to talk him into giving his shotgun up the man fired, fatally hitting Marshal Rice in the chest.
The man was arrested, convicted of Marshal Rice's murder, and sentenced to life. He died in prison on November 15th, 1924.
Marshal Rice had served with the Winters Police Department for only six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-8850E22B- 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.
City Marshal Rice served with the Winters Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Winters community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Rice.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal William Preston "Dick" Rice 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Preston "Dick" Rice's cause is highlighted.
How William Preston "Dick" Rice Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Preston "Dick" Rice is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Preston "Dick" Rice was killed by shotgun.