Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Conley was shot and killed when he and his partner went to investigate a suspicious vehicle and people they observed parked under a viaduct on Central Avenue west of Fifth Street in Kansas City shortly after midnight. As Patrolman Conley and his partner approached the three men and woman, the subjects fired at the officers. Patrolman Conley was mortally wounded. His partner was able to return fire and kill one of the suspects and wound another. The suspects planned to rob the local Missouri Pacific Railroad depot. The three suspects were all convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Conley had served with the Kansas City Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife, child, and grandchild.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-E56DC30B- 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 Conley gave the Kansas City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Conley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Conley 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 Kansas City Police Dept., 16 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Conley's cause is highlighted.
How William Conley Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed; Life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Conley is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Conley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Kansas City Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
