Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

William D. Porter

LaGrange Police Dept. — La Grange, KY

Felonious

End of Watch February 25, 1955

Age 55

The Vigil Panel 90 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Patrolman William Porter was shot and killed as he and the police chief attempted to arrest a suspect who had robbed a supermarket in Louisville. Patrolman Porter and the chief located the suspect passing through LaGrange as he returned to Ohio. As their patrol pulled alongside the suspect's vehicle the man opened fire, striking Patrolman Porter in the forehead. The suspect took a family hostage before stealing their car and fleeing. He was located later that day in Frankfort, Kentucky. He was convicted of Patrolman Porter's murder and sentenced to life but only served 14 years. In November 1969, he was again arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping -- this time for a bank robbery in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was found guilty and sentenced 25 years in February 1970.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-88AB40EE
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 Porter served with the LaGrange Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the LaGrange community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Porter.

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

Agency

Department LaGrange Police Dept.

Location La Grange, KY

Platform Identity lpd.oldham.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 25, 1955

Age 55

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

Offender Sentenced to life

Patrolman William D. Porter 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 LaGrange Police Dept., 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

LaGrange Police Dept.

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William D. Porter's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How William D. Porter Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William D. Porter is highlighted in Feb.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William D. Porter was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from LaGrange Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.