Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer William Marsek and Police Officer Bruce N. Garrison were killed during the arrest of a wanted fugitive. The two officers, assigned to Area Six Special Operations, observed the man enter a tavern at 1818 West Foster Avenue. When the officers entered the tavern, they could not see because of the poor lighting. As the officers moved further inside, the wanted subject opened fire, striking them in the head and chest. The assailant fled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was later killed in a shootout with police after taking four children hostage. Officer Marsek was a United States Marine Corps veteran and served with the Chicago Police Department for almost five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-887A4B1C- 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.
Police Officer Marsek gave the Chicago Police Department 4 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 Charles Marsek served in the Other before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer William Charles Marsek 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 Charles Marsek's cause is highlighted.
How William Charles Marsek Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Charles Marsek is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Charles Marsek was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
