William R. H. Fortye

Las Vegas Police Department — Las Vegas, NV

Felonious

End of Watch October 28, 1966

Age 32

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 102 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Patrolman William Fortye was shot and killed with his own weapon after conducting a traffic stop in the 400 block of Highland Drive. During the stop, the suspect began to struggle with Patrolman Fortye, gained control of his weapon, and shot him three times. Patrolman Fortye's canine partner, Burgie, attacked the suspect and bit him on the hand, and severed his thumb. The suspect was later apprehended as a result of the dog bite. Burgie was found sitting next to Patrolman Fortye when backup officers arrived. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled in 1981, and died November 11th, 1998. Patrolman Fortye had served with the Las Vegas Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NV-9B0F81EF
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.
Patrolman Fortye gave the Las Vegas Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Las Vegas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Fortye.

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

Agency

Department Las Vegas Police Department

Location Las Vegas, NV

Platform Identity lvpd.clark.nv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 28, 1966

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Paroled in 1981

Patrolman William R. H. Fortye 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 NV, 81 of 145 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.9% of this state's fallen. That is 1.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Las Vegas Police Department, 5 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.

Las Vegas Police Department

of 6 officers

83.3% Felonious

NV — Statewide

of 145 officers

55.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious