William F. Hayes

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department — St. Louis, MO

Felonious

End of Watch February 23, 1919

Age 33

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

The Vigil Panel 36 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 175

Incident

Officer William Hayes was shot and killed while searching for a suspect on Nineteenth Street near Lucas Avenue. Officer Hayes and two special officers had heard gunshots in the area and went to investigate. Officer Hayes stopped a man and began to search him. The man suddenly stepped back, produced a revolver from his coat sleeve, and shot Officer Hayes in the stomach and leg. Officer Hayes was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect was apprehended and taken to the hospital where he was positively identified by Officer Hayes before he succumbed to the gunshot wounds. The man was convicted and sentenced to life but won a second trial in which he was acquitted. Officer Hayes had been with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife and four children. After his death, his wife was appointed as a female detective.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MO-CB8655E1
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.
Police Officer Hayes gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hayes.

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

Agency

Department St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

Location St. Louis, MO

Platform Identity stlopd.saintlouis.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 23, 1919

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Revolver

Offender Acquitted

Police Officer William F. 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 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 St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 112 of 176 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

112

of 176 officers

63.6% Felonious

MO — Statewide

516

of 813 officers

63.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious