Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Terry, Patrolman Claude Morgan, and Detective Ambrose Smith were shot and killed while conducting a liquor raid on a house at Shenandoah Avenue and 22nd Street, NW. The officers surrounded the house when a pistol shot suddenly rang out. In the ensuing shootout, all three officers were fatally wounded. Patrolman Terry was struck in the head and succumbed to his wounds early the next morning. Patrolman Morgan was struck in the abdomen and succumbed to his wounds two days later. Detective Smith succumbed to his wounds two years later. The subject was apprehended a few days later and sentenced to life plus 18 years. Patrolman Terry had served with the Roanoke City Police Department for three years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-1FBAF44D- 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 Terry gave the Roanoke City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Terry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William M. Terry 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 VA, 395 of 654 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 Roanoke City Police Department, 12 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William M. Terry's cause is highlighted.
How William M. Terry Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William M. Terry is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William M. Terry was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Roanoke City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
