Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective William Ballard was shot and killed as he and two other officers searched two suspects in a small shack just west of First Street and Wichita Street. They had searched the first man but apparently missed a .32 caliber handgun he was concealing. As they began to search the second subject the first subject opened fire, killing Detective Ballard and wounding one of the other officers. Both men fled from the shack but were apprehended. One later committed suicide in prison and the other attempted suicide. Detective Ballard had served with the Wichita Police Department for five years and had previously served as a deputy marshal with the Wichita City Court for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, three daughters, and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-7802FB64- 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.
Detective Ballard gave the Wichita Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Ballard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective William H. Ballard 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William H. Ballard's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Ballard Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Ballard is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Ballard was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
23 officers from Wichita Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
