William Allen Claassen

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch February 11, 1953

Age 27

The Vigil Panel 88 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 73

Incident

Patrolman William Claassen was shot and killed while he and his partner investigated a burglary-in-progress at a local pharmacy.

When they entered the store the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding Patrolman Claassen. Both officers were able to return fire and kill the suspect.

Patrolman Claassen was a U.S. Navy veteran. He is buried at Fairmont Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CO-F7AC38C8
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 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.
Patrolman Claassen served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver 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

Department Denver Police Department

Location Denver, CO

Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 11, 1953

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Military Service

William Allen Claassen served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman William Allen Claassen 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.

Denver Police Department

of 74 officers

74.3% Felonious

CO — Statewide

235

of 360 officers

65.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious