William Frederick Meyer
Agency patch
Patrolman

William Frederick Meyer

Louisville Police Department — Louisville, KY
Felonious
End of Watch September 1, 1967
Age 33
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
The Vigil Panel 102 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Meyer was shot and killed by in a shootout with five men who had just robbed a grocery store. He confronted the suspects in the grocery store parking lot at 2100 Gardiner Lane as they were making their escape. One of the suspects was captured in Vincennes, Indiana, the next day. Three were apprehended in Racine, Wisconsin, three days later. The fifth suspect was captured by FBI agents in Tampa, Florida, on March 2, 1968. All five were out of jail and under bond for grocery store robberies committed in Madison, Wisconsin, and Springfield, Illinois. Four of the suspects, 27, 29, 31, and 45, were found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to death July 3, 1968. In 1972 their sentences were commuted to life. All four would be eligible for parole in 1974. Patrolman Meyer served with the Louisville Police Department for 11 years and was survived by his wife and children. In 1959 he was cited for unusual bravery when he rescued two people from a fire.

Survivors

Patrolman Meyer served with the Louisville Police Department for 11 years and was survived by his wife and children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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 Meyer gave the Louisville Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Meyer.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Louisville, Jefferson County, KY
Platform Identity lpd.jefferson.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 1, 1967
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Age 33
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.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Louisville Police Department has 91 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William Frederick Meyer

Louisville Police Department · End of Watch September 1, 1967

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E

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