Charles Jeffery Williams

Rockford Police Dept. — Rockford, IL

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 1, 1972

Age 28

Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo

Badge 187

The Vigil Panel 110 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

Incident

Patrol Officer Charles Williams was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to stop a suspect wanted for armed robbery. As the suspect began walking away from Officer Williams, he began firing, striking Officer Williams in the head. Officer Williams' partner returned fire at the suspect as he fled on foot from the scene. The suspect was later apprehended. The 22-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 100 to 150 years in prison. Officer Williams had served with the Rockford Police Department for 2-½ years. He was survived by his wife, a two year old, and another child six months old. He was a Vietnam War Veteran.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, a two year old, and another child six months old.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-4C300483
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.
Patrol Officer Williams gave the Rockford Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rockford 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 Rockford Police Dept.

Location Rockford, IL

Platform Identity rockfordpd.winnebago.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 1, 1972

Tour of Duty 2 yrs 6 mo

Age 28

Badge Number 187

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to 100 to 150 years

Military Service

Charles Jeffery Williams served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrol Officer Charles Jeffery Williams 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 Rockford Police Dept., 7 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 87.5% of this agency's fallen.

Rockford Police Dept.

of 8 officers

87.5% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious