William Gallagher

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch September 26, 1929

Badge 1162

The Vigil Panel 58 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Patrolman William Gallagher and Patrolman Jesse Hults were shot and killed while investigating a kidnapping. During the course of their investigation, the officers went to an apartment at 4139 South Park Way (modern-day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive) on the city's south side. Several members of a cult who were inside opened fire, killing Patrolman Gallagher and fatally wounding Patrolman Hults. The gunman who shot Patrolman Hults was shot and killed by another officer at the scene. Five other suspects were taken into custody.

Survivors

Patrolman William Gallagher is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

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

— 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 September 26, 1929

Badge Number 1162

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month

By day of the week

III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded