Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective William R. Mooney was shot and fatally wounded as he stopped 3 suspects for questioning. At 7:30 p.m., Detective Mooney and two other detectives were taking a burglary report that occurred earlier in the afternoon. They were near the intersection of Sangamon and Van Buren. Mooney noticed three suspicious men and asked the victim to look them over as they approached. As they neared, Mooney directed the tallest of the trio, "Come here a moment. I want to see you". Mooney grabbed the suspect by the sleeve and his two companions ran north on Sangamon Street. Still holding the suspect, the detective fired several shots in the air to attract attention of the other two detectives who were then at the patrol box. The detectives turned on hearing the first shot, drew their weapons and fired at the fleeing men. One detective started in pursuit, leaving the second detective in charge of the prisoner at the box. At that same instant, another shot was fired. The detective turned in time to witness Mooney fall to the sidewalk and the tall suspect, revolver in hand, run north on Sangamon Street. Dragging his prisoner with him, the detective began to pursue the gunman, firing as he ran. Meanwhile, the gunman's companions drew their revolvers and engaged the pursuing detective in a gun battle as they continued to run north on Sangamon Street. The gunmen emptied their revolvers and took turns reloading and firing. When they reached Monroe Street, the men turned west and the pursuing detective soon lost sight of them. Hundreds attracted by the shooting gathered around the wounded detective and he was carried to Grace Hospital by several men in the crowd. Detective Mooney was still conscious and able to provide a description of his assailant. Innocent bystanders were also hit by gunfire and were carried to the hospital, placed on cots next to Detective Mooney. Nine years earlier, Detective Mooney was paralyzed for one year after being struck on the head by a thief at Peoria a
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-6B804731- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Mooney gave the Chicago Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Mooney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective William Richard Mooney 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 Richard Mooney's cause is highlighted.
How William Richard Mooney Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Richard Mooney is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Richard Mooney was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
