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Incident
Captain William McDaniel was struck and killed by a Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway train about three-quarters of a mile north of Solon, Iowa. He and another officer had traveled to Solon after learning that a murder suspect may have fled there. They were crossing the bridge when a freight train approached. The other officer was able to jump from the bridge without getting struck, however, Captain McDaniel was struck and thrown into the creek below. The other officer pulled him from the creek and he was taken into town on the train. He died about 10 minutes later. As the officer changed into dry clothes in Solon the suspect was spotted walking along the tracks and was taken into custody. Captain McDaniel had served with the Cedar Rapids Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Captain McDaniel gave the Cedar Rapids Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cedar Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cedar Rapids Police Department has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1885, 1 officer in IA was lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 1885, 1 officer in the United States was lost to accidents, the 163rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1885, 12 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 146th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 47. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. William had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 47. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.9% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Wednesdays: 16.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Cedar Rapids Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Cedar Rapids Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Cedar Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
