Prev
William L. Sills
Incident
Patrol Inspector William Sills was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a smuggler along the bank of the Rio Grande River south of La Grulla, approximately 25 miles west of McAllen, Texas. He and two other inspectors had encountered three smugglers. Two of the aliens were arrested and Inspector Sills was shot while attempting to stop the third from escaping. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and kill the suspect. Inspector Sills had served with the United States Border Patrol for three years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnb8fbjpn0hbrn6m7fws- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Inspector Sills gave the United States Department of Labor 3 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Inspector Sills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol has lost 28 officers; 20 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1940, 1 officer at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 4.
In 1940, 9 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 30. Of the 19 killed feloniously at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 38.5; the middle age was 33. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
William was 30. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 30. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 10% of these deaths at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol; December holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 20%.
January holds 8.6% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 28 deaths at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 45% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol has 28 officers remembered here, William among them.
-
Clarence Meek Childress
Apr 16, 1919
-
Charles Lloyd Hopkins May 9, 1919
-
Charles Gardiner
Oct 21, 1922
-
James F. Mankin Sep 14, 1924
-
Frank H. Clark
Dec 13, 1924
-
Joseph P. Riley
Apr 6, 1925
-
Augustin De La Pena
Aug 3, 1925
-
Ross A. Gardner Oct 28, 1925
-
William W. McKee Apr 23, 1926
-
Lon Parker
Jul 25, 1926
-
Orin F. Hush
Jan 31, 1927
-
Thaddeus Pippin
Apr 21, 1927
-
Franklin P. Wood
Dec 15, 1927
-
Norman G. Ross
Feb 10, 1928
-
Robert H. Lobdell
Dec 25, 1928
-
Earl A. Roberts
Mar 24, 1929
-
Benjamin Thomas Hill
May 30, 1929
-
Ivan E. Scotten
Jul 20, 1929
-
Miles Joseph Scannell
Sep 9, 1929
-
William Douglas McCalib
Jan 7, 1930
-
Harry E. Vincent Mar 25, 1930
-
Robert William Kelsay
Jun 25, 1930
-
Frank Vidmar, Jr.
Mar 24, 1932
-
Charles F. Inch
Jun 26, 1932
-
Philip Dryer Strobridge
Mar 7, 1933
-
Doyne C. Melton
Dec 7, 1933
-
Bert G. Walthall
Dec 27, 1933
-
William L. Sills
Jan 17, 1940
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
