Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Kress was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to arrest a man who had threatened passersby with a gun on State Street. The man shot Patrolman Kress in the leg, severing an artery.
The suspect was sentenced to death and executed in the Ohio State Prison's electric chair on February 24, 1922.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-C47B08DB- 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 Kress served with the Toledo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Toledo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kress.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Kress 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 Toledo Police Dept., 25 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 78.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Kress's cause is highlighted.
How William Kress Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1922
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Kress is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Kress was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Toledo Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
