William A. "Billy" West
Agency patch
Patrolman

William A. "Billy" West

Cushing Police Department — Cushing, OK
Felonious Veteran
End of Watch July 18, 1931
Age 37
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 62 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Billy West was shot and killed while searching for several men who had robbed a citizen earlier in the day.

At 1:00 am, a man notified Patrolman West and another officer that he had been bound, gagged, and robbed in his home. They searched the businesses in the area and believed they found the vehicle and subjects in a dark garage at 114 South Harrison Street. While his partner had two suspects outside, Patrolman West entered the office with a flashlight, hoping to find more evidence. As he crouched over a suitcase, a third subject, hiding behind the desk, shot Patrolman West in his thigh. Patrolman West fired back, but the bullets tore through the desk. The man fired another shot into his heart. Patrolman West died before the ambulance arrived.

Three men were apprehended and charged in connection with Patrolman West's murder. One, who turned in state evidence, had his charges dismissed. The triggerman, 35, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life on October 15, 1931. He was paroled on January 11, 1943.

Patrolman West was a United States Army World War I veteran and served with the Cushing Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-4E474DBA
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 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 West gave the Cushing Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cushing community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Location Cushing, OK
Platform Identity cpd.payne.ok.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 18, 1931
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 37
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Paroled in 1943

Military Service

William A. "Billy" West served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman William A. "Billy" West 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 Cushing Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Cushing Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
OK — Statewide
403
of 582 officers
69.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William A. "Billy" West's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How William A. "Billy" West Compares

Age at End of Watch
37
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 1943

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William A. "Billy" West is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William A. "Billy" West was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Cushing Police Department are honored on badge.nw.