William George Gagler

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch June 19, 1932

Age 38

Badge 1634

The Vigil Panel 64 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 570

Incident

Patrolman William G. Gagler was fatally shot as he and two other officers served a larceny warrant. The officers located the suspect in front of his apartment building at 3117 S State Street and read the warrant to him. The man then asked to go inside to obtain a coat. The request was granted and Patrolman Gagler accompanied him to his apartment. The suspect put on his coat and Patrolman Gagler began to follow him into the hallway when the suspect suddenly produced a handgun and opened fire. Patrolman Gagler was struck in the abdomen, leg, and twice in the arm. Although seriously wounded, he was able to return fire and struck the suspect in the abdomen four times. Patrolman Gagler was taken to Mercy Hospital where he died of his wounds the following day. The suspect took himself to another hospital where he also died of his wounds. Patrolman Gagler was assigned to the Pekin Inn Station.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-DC9119C1
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 Gagler served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gagler.

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

Agency

Department Chicago Police Department

Location Chicago, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 19, 1932

Age 38

Badge Number 1634

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman William George Gagler 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.

Chicago Police Department

396

of 571 officers

69.4% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious