Roll of Honor
Incident
Overseer William Bullard was killed after being assaulted by several inmates during an escape at the Missouri State Penitentiary.
As one of the inmates distracted him, another struck him in the back of the head with a hammer. He was then held down and beaten to death before the suspects stole his keys and gun. A total of nine prisoners escaped.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-A2FF1BF8- 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
185 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Overseer Bullard gave the Missouri Department of Corrections 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Missouri. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Overseer William Bullard 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Missouri Department of Corrections, 9 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Bullard's cause is highlighted.
How William Bullard Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Bullard is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Bullard was killed by blunt object; hammer.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Missouri Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
