Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal "Fred" Baird was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who had shot at a constable.
The subject was attempting to seek revenge against the constable who had served a levy against him and confiscated livestock earlier in the day. The man obtained firearms and ammunition and then attempted to shoot at the constable at his home. When the constable returned fire the man ran into a nearby home at 215 East Walnut Street.
Marshal Baird located the man hiding in the basement of the home and was shot as he attempted to place him into custody.
The suspect was convicted of Marshal Baird's murder and sent to prison where he died on April 2, 1904.
City Marshal Baird, On today, the 120th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Fairbury.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol El Paso Station February 11th, 2019
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-B33E7189- 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
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Baird served with the Fairbury Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Fairbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal William Frederick Baird 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 Fairbury Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Frederick Baird's cause is highlighted.
How William Frederick Baird Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Frederick Baird is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Frederick Baird was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Fairbury Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
