Roll of Honor
William Louis Pappan
Incident
Location: Oklahoma Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to 5 years
Investigator William Pappan and a private investigator were shot and killed while inspecting beer licenses at the Sheridan Club at 51st Street and Sheridan Road in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Two employees at the club approached and assaulted them as they spoke to the bouncer. As the struggle moved outside both investigators were beaten and fatally shot.
One employee was convicted of first-degree manslaughter, for the death of Investigator Pappan, and sentenced to five years. The trial was very complicated with questions as to if Investigator Pappan and the private investigator acted in an official capacity and manner that proved to the suspects that they were legit.
Investigator Pappan had served with the Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit for only four months and had previously served with the Tulsa Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-F02FB650- 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.
Investigator Pappan served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Pappan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator William Louis Pappan 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit, 12 of 30 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Louis Pappan's cause is highlighted.
How William Louis Pappan Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 5 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Louis Pappan is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Louis Pappan was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Alcohol Tax Unit are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
