William T. Cavanaugh

Kansas City Police Department — Kansas City, MO

Felonious

End of Watch April 8, 1936

Age 32

The Vigil Panel 71 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 119

Incident

Patrolman Cavanaugh succumbed to gunshot wounds received the previous day after attempting to stop a robbery on East 21st Street. He was off duty and eating with his wife at a local tavern when a man entered and began robbing the establishment. Patrolman Cavanaugh drew his weapon and fired on the suspect, who then fled on foot. Patrolman Cavanaugh gave chase and in a running shootout was mortally wounded. The suspect was apprehended several days later. The 32-year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and was the first person to be put to death in Missouri's new gas chamber on March 4, 1938.

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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.
Patrolman Cavanaugh served with the Kansas City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cavanaugh.

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

Agency

Department Kansas City Police Department

Location Kansas City, MO

Platform Identity kcpd.jackson.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 8, 1936

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Executed in 1938

Patrolman William T. Cavanaugh 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 Kansas City Police Department, 72 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.

Kansas City Police Department

of 120 officers

60% Felonious

MO — Statewide

516

of 813 officers

63.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious