Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Boers was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for beating his wife at a home on 834 West Fourth Street. The woman had requested police protection, and Patrolman Boers volunteered for the duty because he knew the husband and believed he could help calm the situation. As Patrolman Boers and the woman approached the home, the man appeared in the doorway and shot Patrolman Boers in the abdomen. Despite being mortally wounded, Patrolman Boers returned fire and chased the subject into the home. The man jumped from a second-floor window and broke his ankle. He was taken into custody by another officer in Webb Alley behind the home. The 30-year-old subject was apprehended and sentenced to 20 years. He was paroled on November 15, 1930, with the condition that he never drink again. Six months later, Cincinnati police responded to a disturbance at a brothel where he was found to be intoxicated, and he slapped the policeman who arrested him. He could have been sent back to prison but instead got 30 days in jail. Patrolman Boers was an Ohio National Guard veteran and had served with the Cincinnati Police Division for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters. He is buried in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Walnut Hills, Ohio.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-89E55668- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Boers gave the Cincinnati Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William C. Boers served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman William C. Boers 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cincinnati Police Department, 63 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William C. Boers's cause is highlighted.
How William C. Boers Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1930
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William C. Boers is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William C. Boers was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Cincinnati Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
