Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective William Mulligan and Captain Parr were shot and killed when they attempted to arrest two men inside their apartment in the 200 block of East Market Street. Both suspects were wanted in connection with a series of burglaries. Both suspects were captured a short time later. One of the suspects told police he shot the two officers because he thought they were gangsters when they entered his apartment. He was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair on April 14, 1933.
Survivors
Detective Mulligan served with the Louisville Police Department for 13 years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-FBB59C15- 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 Mulligan gave the Louisville Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Mulligan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective William Leath Mulligan 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. William Leath Mulligan's cause is highlighted.
How William Leath Mulligan Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1933
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Leath Mulligan is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Leath Mulligan was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
90 officers from Louisville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
