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Incident
Detective William Wolsey was shot and killed by a suspect who attempted to rob him on the 2nd Street viaduct. He had just gotten off work and was walking home when he stopped to speak to a citizen. A man and a juvenile approached and announced a robbery at gunpoint. Detective Wolsey drew his own revolver and the two exchanged shots. Detective Wolsey and the man were both killed. The juvenile was arrested the following day.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Wolsey served with the Joplin Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Wolsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joplin Police Department has lost 21 officers; 17 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 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 1917, 1 officer at Joplin Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1901, with 2.
In 1917, 8 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
December holds 23.5% of these deaths at Joplin Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 17.6%.
December holds 11% of these deaths in MO, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81% of all 21 deaths at Joplin Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 64.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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
Joplin Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Daniel Sheehan
Jul 19, 1885
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James Sweeney
Apr 23, 1901
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Bert Brannon
Apr 24, 1901
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Theodore C. Leslie
Apr 14, 1903
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John Ledbetter
Jun 10, 1903
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Claude Brice
Dec 31, 1904
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William Smith
Nov 15, 1909
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Louis S. Wells Jun 3, 1916
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William Wolsey
Dec 8, 1917
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Jessie Laster
Aug 23, 1926
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Alex Brown
Dec 18, 1928
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Alexander C. Lachman
Jun 26, 1931
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Harry L. McGinnis
Apr 13, 1933
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Kendrick Lloyd
Apr 17, 1948
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Raymond Endicott
Oct 8, 1949
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Robert M. Clifton
Dec 5, 1967
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Paul Wesley Harlan
Dec 6, 1979
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Richard W. O. Gammill
Sep 7, 1989
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Timothy Andrew Nielson
Sep 13, 2004
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Benjamin Lee Cooper
Mar 8, 2022
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Jake Alexander Reed
Mar 9, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Joplin Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
