William F. Byrd

Oklahoma City Police Dept. — Oklahoma City, OK

Felonious

End of Watch August 2, 1919

Age 34

The Vigil Panel 37 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 32

Incident

Officer Byrd was shot and killed when he responded to reports of gunshots from the rear of 509 North Rhode Island Avenue. Officer Byrd, a member of the mounted unit, rounded the corner to the house on his horse when the suspect shot him in the chest. Before he died he was able to return fire, killing the suspect.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OK-49E53D33
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.
Officer Byrd served with the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Oklahoma City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Byrd.

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

Agency

Department Oklahoma City Police Dept.

Location Oklahoma City, OK

Platform Identity opd.oklahoma.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 2, 1919

Age 34

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed by Officer Byrd

Officer William F. Byrd 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Oklahoma City Police Dept., 20 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.6% of this agency's fallen.

Oklahoma City Police Dept.

of 33 officers

60.6% Felonious

OK — Statewide

403

of 582 officers

69.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious