William D. Keller

Wabash Railway Police Department — St. Louis, MI

Felonious

End of Watch January 23, 1931

Age 38

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 61 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Patrolman William Keller was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect whom he caught trying to steal brass from railroad engines in the Wabash rail yards in Decatur, Illinois. As Patrolman Keller walked the two suspects to the yard office one of them ran away. As he continued to walk with the second suspect the man suddenly turned and grabbed Patrolman Keller's gun and shot him four times. Patrolman Keller was able to get medical assistance but later died. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On December 11, 1931, he was executed by electrocution at the Menard Correctional Center. Patrolman Keller had served with the Wabash Railway Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-RR-FAF6CE0D
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 Keller gave the Wabash Railway Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Keller.

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

Agency

Department Wabash Railway Police Department

Location St. Louis, MI

Platform Identity wrpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 23, 1931

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Executed in 1931

Patrolman William D. Keller 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Wabash Railway Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Wabash Railway Police Department

of 6 officers

66.7% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious