Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Winfield Willis was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two suspects at a bar fight in the area of Amherst and East Streets. One of the suspects was arrested and sentenced to 20 years for his murder. He turned down a chance to be paroled and said he wanted to spend the rest of his life in prison. He died in prison on October 28, 1976.
Survivors
Patrolman Willis was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-D2DD3545- 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 Willis served with the Buffalo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Willis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Winfield S. Willis 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Buffalo Police Department, 22 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Winfield S. Willis's cause is highlighted.
How Winfield S. Willis Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Winfield S. Willis is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Winfield S. Willis was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
50 officers from Buffalo Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
