William Bonner Phares

Houston Police Department — Houston, TX

Felonious

End of Watch September 30, 1930

Age 26

The Vigil Panel 60 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 116

Incident

Officer Willie Phares and Officer Edward Fitzgerald were shot and killed at the intersection of Anita Avenue and Milam Street by one of two men as they approached their car to question them about a robbery that had occurred several hours earlier at a furniture store. Officer Phares was transported to the hospital, where he remained until succumbing to his wounds ten days later. The suspects were captured a short time later. The gunman was sentenced to death and executed in the electric chair on November 28, 1930. Officer Phares had served with the Houston Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, infant son, parents, and two brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-02300B7F
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Phares served with the Houston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Phares.

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

Agency

Department Houston Police Department

Location Houston, TX

Platform Identity hpd.harris.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 30, 1930

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

Offender Executed in 1930

Officer William Bonner Phares 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.

Houston Police Department

of 117 officers

71.8% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious