Roll of Honor
William E. Waers
Incident
Special Officer William Waers was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary of coal cars in the rail yards in Herington, Kansas. Officer Waers had been assigned to the rail yards to investigate the murders of nine people over the previous five years. During the investigation, he interrupted the burglary and was shot. Two suspects were eventually apprehended.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-061611A4- 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.
Special Officer Waers served with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Waers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Officer William E. Waers 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department, 13 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William E. Waers's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Waers Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Waers is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Waers was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
