Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Holmes was shot and killed near the intersection of 37th Street and Indiana Avenue while walking his beat with his partner on Christmas Eve. He was searching for two gunmen who had just robbed a citizen. When Patrolman Holmes spotted the armed offenders on the street, he attempted to place them under arrest. One gunman resisted, displayed a revolver, and fired. Patrolman Homes was struck and mortally wounded, and his partner was also wounded. Other officers responded and killed the first suspect. However, the second suspect escaped. On June 22nd, 1925, a man who had been involved in the murders of Lieutenant David Dunigan and Officer John Conrad of the Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia, and Deputy Sheriff Lawrence McParlin of the Charles County Sheriff's Office, Maryland, was hanged. Before being executed the man claimed to have committed 12 murders, including that of a policeman in Chicago, possibly Patrolman Holmes. Patrolman Holmes had served with the Chicago Police Department for over 11 years, assigned to 2A District. He was survived by his wife. He is buried in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-60DC8F7E- 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 Holmes gave the Chicago Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Holmes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Holmes 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 Holmes's cause is highlighted.
How William Holmes Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Holmes is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Holmes was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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