Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Billy Osborn was shot and killed with his own weapon which was taken from him by a prisoner at 2:00 am. Patrolman Osborn had entered the jail cells at the station and was walking past a cell when an inmate reached through the bars and grabbed his weapon from its holster. In the fight to get the weapon back it discharged, striking Patrolman Osborn in the neck. The prisoner was found guilty but mentally ill and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Patrolman Osborn had served with the Bloomington Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-8A3FD9E0- 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 Osborn gave the Bloomington Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bloomington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Osborn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Billy Paul Osborn 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 Bloomington Police Dept., 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Billy Paul Osborn's cause is highlighted.
How Billy Paul Osborn Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 40 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Billy Paul Osborn is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Billy Paul Osborn was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bloomington Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
