William J. Camp

Springfield Police Department — Springfield, IL

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch August 25, 1885

Age 39

Badge 2

The Vigil Panel 8 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Patrolman William Camp and Patrolman Frederick Gall arrested a subject for drunk and disorderly at his residence on South 6th Street, between Adams Street and Monroe Street, early Sunday morning. While awaiting bail, the offender dwelled on the arrest and blamed the arresting officers for his predicament. When the subject bailed out, he made a statement that not only was he going to kill his wife, but that he also intended to take revenge upon the arresting officers. When both officers began their foot patrol rounds at 7:00 pm, they passed in front of the offender’s residence. As the officers approached, the offender cursed them, cocked two revolvers and began firing both weapons which struck both officers. Patrolman Camp was able to return fire, killing the suspect, before he died at the scene. Patrolman Gall was transported to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries two days later. Patrolman Camp was a Union Army veteran of the Civil War.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and five children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-9DB69331
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.
Patrolman Camp served with the Springfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield 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

Department Springfield Police Department

Location Springfield, IL

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

Service Record

End of Watch August 25, 1885

Age 39

Badge Number 2

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Shot and killed

Military Service

William J. Camp served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman William J. Camp 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