Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William A. Roberts was shot and killed while questioning a man on Drexel Boulevard at approximately 2:00 a.m. Officer Roberts observed a suspicious man carrying a bag. Unknown to the officer, the man had just robbed an Illinois Central Railroad mail car. When Officer Roberts attempted to question the man as to the contents of he bag, the man drew a gun and opened fire. A gun battle ensued, in which Officer Roberts was mortally wounded. He succumbed to the wounds 8 hours later. Other officers traced the man to a location on East 51st Street early the following morning. Officer Roberts' killer was shot and killed in the ensuing gun battle.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-5B90179D- 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.
Patrolman Roberts served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Roberts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William A. Roberts 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 A. Roberts's cause is highlighted.
How William A. Roberts Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William A. Roberts is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William A. Roberts was killed by gun; unknown type.
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