Prev
William E. Waers
Incident
Special Officer William Waers was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary of coal cars in the rail yards in Herington, Kansas. Officer Waers had been assigned to the rail yards to investigate the murders of nine people over the previous five years. During the investigation, he interrupted the burglary and was shot. Two suspects were eventually apprehended.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtne7epz7f8c37h1ebdz1- 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.
Special Officer Waers served with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Waers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has lost 13 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 2 officers at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 3.
In 1922, 21 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 48. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 42.
William was 48. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
William was 48. 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 was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 7.7% of these deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department; March holds the most, 23.1%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
January holds 7.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
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 100% of all 13 deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, William among them.
-
Andrew Creason Sep 19, 1903
-
Claude H. McDonald Mar 26, 1911
-
Hugo P. A. Alvine
Dec 9, 1915
-
Charles F. Artz
Jun 27, 1920
-
Will C. Reed
Jul 4, 1920
-
William E. Waers Jan 11, 1922
-
Alfred Allen Gifford
Jun 27, 1922
-
Thomas P. Griffin Nov 15, 1923
-
Ralph Robinson Mar 31, 1926
-
Archibald D. Brandon
Apr 19, 1931
-
Rube Tom Pollock
Mar 8, 1934
-
Edwin C. Shane Apr 17, 1934
-
John W. Whitted Apr 17, 1934
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
