Porter Williams

Springfield Police Department — Springfield, IL

Felonious

End of Watch September 25, 1932

Age 41

The Vigil Panel 65 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Detective Sergeant Porter Williams was shot and killed during a labor tension caused by union coal miners rioting. Detective Sergeant Williams, while attempting to disarm a rioting miner, was shot by an unknown suspect. After the detective was mortally wounded, he staggered back against the wall of the Leland Hotel building. He was found with his hands behind his back clutching what was believed to be the suspect's pistol. Of the 25 miners that were arrested on charges of rioting, one made a statement to the coroner that Detective Sergeant Williams was shot by a short man. After shooting the detective, the suspect placed the gun inside his shirt and backed out of the crowd.

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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.
Detective Sergeant Williams served with the Springfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Williams.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Springfield Police Department

Location Springfield, IL

Platform Identity spd.sangamon.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 25, 1932

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

Offender Never identified

Detective Sergeant Porter Williams 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 Springfield Police Department, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.

Springfield Police Department

of 10 officers

90% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious