William H. Riddell

Dallas Police Department — Dallas, TX

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 17, 1892

Age 55

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 11 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 94

Incident

Officer William Riddell was shot and killed while he and his partner attempted to serve a warrant on a man for carrying a weapon. The subject had been overheard saying that he would kill any officer who attempted to arrest him. As the officers entered his store he immediately opened fire, killing Officer Riddell. His partner was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. The assistant police chief arrived at the scene minutes later and was able to arrest the man. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to hang, but that sentence was later commuted to life in prison. After serving 15 years he was pardoned. Officer Riddell had served with the Dallas Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and seven children. His son, Thomas Anderson Riddell, became an officer for the Dallas Police Department in 1899 and served until his retirement in 1932 as a Sergeant. One of William Riddell's grandchildren, Harry Taylor Riddell, continued the family tradition and became an officer for the Dallas Police Department in 1923. He served until his retirement in 1955 as a Captain.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and seven children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-47C9B989
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.
Officer Riddell gave the Dallas Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Dallas Police Department

Location Dallas, TX

Platform Identity dpd.dallas.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 17, 1892

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 55

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Pardoned

Military Service

William H. Riddell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Officer William H. Riddell 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 Dallas Police Department, 55 of 95 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.9% of this agency's fallen.

Dallas Police Department

of 95 officers

57.9% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious