Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William F. Messenger was shot and killed by a man whom he had argued with earlier in the day. The gunman entered the Harrison Street Police Station and told Patrolman Messenger to take back what he had said earlier. When Patrolman Messenger told the man to leave the station, the attacker pulled out a revolver and started shooting, striking Patrolman Messenger in the chest and side. A second officer, James Scully, returned fire, wounding the gunman and knocking away his weapon as he attempted to commit suicide. The gunman was taken into custody and died of his wounds the following day. Patrolman Messenger was taken to St. Luke's hospital where he died from his wounds the next day. Patrolman Messenger was a U.S. Army veteran and had been with the Chicago Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-11AA5077- 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 Messenger gave the Chicago Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William F. Messenger served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman William F. Messenger 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 Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William F. Messenger's cause is highlighted.
How William F. Messenger Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William F. Messenger is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William F. Messenger was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
