Wilfred V. French

Cairo Police Department — Cairo, IL

Felonious

End of Watch December 3, 1910

Age 37

The Vigil Panel 25 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Sergeant Wilfred French was shot and killed by the Pulaski County Sheriff whom he had previously arrested several times for causing trouble while under the influence.

The sheriff demanded that Sergeant French return a gun that had been confiscated. When Deputy French refused and turned to walk away the sheriff shot him in the back. The sheriff was arrested, charged with Sergeant French's murder, but acquitted at trial.

Sgt. I have walked the same street as you wearing the same patch on my sleeve. I wish I could have seen Cairo in it's prime. Great city great people. Just know you sacrifice was not in vain Cairo will rise again. Thank you sir for your service

Patrolman Troy McNeely Cairo police department January 25th, 2022

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-0EF5AA20
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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.
Sergeant French served with the Cairo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cairo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant French.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Cairo Police Department

Location Cairo, IL

Platform Identity cpd.alexander.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 3, 1910

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Sergeant Wilfred V. French 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Cairo Police Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Cairo Police Department

of 5 officers

100% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious