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William M. Terry
Agency patch
Patrolman

William M. Terry

Roanoke City Police Department — Roanoke, VA
Felonious
United States flag Virginia flag
End of Watch July 3, 1925
Age 35
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 49 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 14

Incident

Patrolman William Terry, Patrolman Claude Morgan, and Detective Ambrose Smith were shot and killed while conducting a liquor raid on a house at Shenandoah Avenue and 22nd Street, NW. The officers surrounded the house when a pistol shot suddenly rang out. In the ensuing shootout, all three officers were fatally wounded. Patrolman Terry was struck in the head and succumbed to his wounds early the next morning. Patrolman Morgan was struck in the abdomen and succumbed to his wounds two days later. Detective Smith succumbed to his wounds two years later. The subject was apprehended a few days later and sentenced to life plus 18 years. Patrolman Terry had served with the Roanoke City Police Department for three years.

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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 Terry gave the Roanoke City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Terry.

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

Agency

Department Roanoke City Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Roanoke, City of Roanoke, VA
Platform Identity roanpd.roanoke.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 3, 1925
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 35. 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.

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

When

July holds 9.3% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Roanoke City Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William M. Terry

Roanoke City Police Department · End of Watch July 3, 1925

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E

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