Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Wilbur Hayes and Patrolman John Schaefer were shot and killed while checking two men in an alley at approximately 10:00 pm. As the officers attempted to arrest the men for burglary of a roofing company one of them produced a gun and opened fire, striking both officers from behind. Both subjects were apprehended three days later and subsequently convicted of two counts of murder October 29th, 1971. Patrolman Hayes was a member of the U.S Army Reserves and had served with the Louisville Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-618952CA- 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 Hayes gave the Louisville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Hayes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Wilbur Hayes 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Louisville Police Department, 51 of 91 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wilbur Hayes's cause is highlighted.
How Wilbur Hayes Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wilbur Hayes is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wilbur Hayes was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
90 officers from Louisville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
