Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal William Cruger was shot and killed by a man he had just arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. The two men were walking up a set of stairs from the street to Marshal Cruger's office when the prisoner produced a gun, spun around, and shot Marshal Cruger in the head.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years. He was paroled in 1890.
Marshal Cruger was survived by his wife, child, mother, and siblings.
Survivors
Marshal Cruger was survived by his wife, child, mother, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-EDBCA3B2- 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
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Town Marshal Cruger served with the Princeton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Princeton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal William R. Cruger 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 Princeton Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William R. Cruger's cause is highlighted.
How William R. Cruger Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1890
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Cruger is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William R. Cruger was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Princeton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
