Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Wilson was off duty when he was shot and killed after joining the pursuit of an armed man who had entered a public library. A complaint was received about a man, who had threatened a group of boys playing ball on 9th Avenue. He pulled a gun on the boys when their baseball accidentally knocked his hat off. The suspect opened fire on Officer Wilson and two other officers when they confronted him in the Library. The other two officers were slightly wounded by gunfire as they subdued the suspect. The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison September 12, 1921. He died in prison on May 24, 1940. Officer Wilson had been with the agency for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-031D9145- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Wilson gave the Cedar Rapids Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cedar Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Francis Wilson is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cedar Rapids Police Department, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How Francis Wilson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis Wilson is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis Wilson was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Cedar Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
