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William A. Flowers
Agency patch
Patrolman

William A. Flowers

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
United States flag Illinois flag
End of Watch October 26, 1960
Age 32
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Badge 1872
The Vigil Panel 211 · Column 1 · Line 17 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Patrolman William A. Flowers was shot and killed as he and his partner investigated a domestic call at 2673 Washington Boulevard. He and his partner were working in plainclothes in the 27th District Station when a subject came in and told the officers he was having trouble with another man who was having an affair with his wife. The complainant added that the adulterer had threatened him several times and that he would call the station when he knew he was at home. At about 9:00 pm, Patrolman Flowers and his partner received a call from the complainant stating that the subject was in his apartment. They met the complainant and went to the manager’s apartment in the building. The manager told the officers to be careful of the suspect, as he was known to have several weapons in his apartment. The officers then proceeded to have the complainant point out the apartment from the alley entrance. As they reached the alley and entered, the offender walked into the alley with a gun in his hand and immediately opened fire on both officers and the complainant. Patrolman Flowers was fatally wounded and never had a chance to draw his weapon. His partner drew his gun and fired several times at the assailant. The shooter ran into the building and up to his third-floor apartment with the officer chasing him, both exchanging gunfire. Additional officers began arriving at the scene and entered the gunman's apartment where he was found lying on the floor, wounded. Patrolman Flowers was rushed to Illinois Research Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. The subject was also taken to the Illinois Research Hospital, treated and confined under police guard with six gunshot wounds. He recovered from his wounds and was charged with the murder of Patrolman Flowers. On March 6th, 1961, the man, 29, was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in the Illinois State Penitentiary. Patrolman Flowers had served with the Chicago Police Department for six years.

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August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Flowers gave the Chicago Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Flowers.

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

Agency

Department Chicago Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 26, 1960
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 32
Badge Number 1872
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1960, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William A. Flowers

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch October 26, 1960

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W

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