William L. Humphries

Wichita Police Department — Wichita, KS

Felonious

End of Watch February 23, 1915

Age 40

The Vigil Panel 29 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 23

Incident

Detective William Humphries was shot and killed while attempting to question a suspect in a local pool hall at 803 Douglas Avenue.

When the man became cornered by Detective Humphries he pulled out a handgun and opened fire, fatally wounding the detective. The subject was apprehended and convicted of first-degree murder.

Detective Humphries is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Wichita, Kansas.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KS-47BCE48E
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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Humphries served with the Wichita Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Humphries.

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

Agency

Department Wichita Police Department

Location Wichita, KS

Platform Identity wpd.sedgwick.ks.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 23, 1915

Age 40

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Convicted of murder

Detective William L. Humphries 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Wichita Police Department, 15 of 24 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Wichita Police Department

of 24 officers

62.5% Felonious

KS — Statewide

237

of 335 officers

70.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious