William A. Dillon

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

Felonious

End of Watch April 7, 1916

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 31 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 175

Incident

Police Officer William Dillon was shot and killed while investigating the murder of Officer John McKenna. Officer McKenna was shot and killed while investigating two brothers, ages 19 and 21, who he believed were stealing copper streetcar wire. He had observed a car believed to be used in the thefts and stopped the two occupants. When he searched the men he located a revolver on one of them, at which time he escorted them to a nearby business. One of the men asked if he could get a drink of water and Officer McKenna allowed him to do so. As the man walked behind Officer McKenna he produced a small handgun hidden in his waistband and shot him in the back of the head, killing him. The two men fled the scene and went to their home. Officer William Dillon, who received a description of the car while checking in during his rounds, recognized it as a car belonging to two brothers. He went to their home at 4253 Athlone Avenue and spotted them in the garage. As he entered the garage at gunpoint he was attacked from behind with a hatchet. The two suspects beat him to death and then buried his body in a shallow grave. Both men were eventually apprehended and sentenced to hang, however, their sentences were commuted to life. One was paroled on January 6, 1941.

Survivors

Officer Dillon was survived by his parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MO-D0E53629
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Dillon served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Dillon.

— 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 April 7, 1916

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon; Hatchet

Offender Sentenced to life

Police Officer William A. Dillon 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