Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective William O'Rourke was shot and killed while working a pawnshop detail. He was attempting to arrest a subject for selling stolen property when the subject produced a gun and shot him several times. The suspect was apprehended and executed in the electric chair. Detective O'Rourke had served with the Columbus Division of Police for 29 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-DC0F06FF- 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
29 years. You could have gone home.
Detective O'Rourke gave the Columbus Division of Police 29 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective O'Rourke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective William O'Rourke 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 Columbus Division of Police, 36 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William O'Rourke's cause is highlighted.
How William O'Rourke Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William O'Rourke is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William O'Rourke was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Columbus Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
