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Will C. Reed
Incident
Location: Kansas Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Sentenced to 40 years
Chief Special Agent Will Reed was shot and killed at 3:00 am while searching for three men who had reportedly burglarized a freight car in Elbing, Kansas.
He and his partner received word that the suspects had boarded a train heading to the railroad yards in North Wichita, Kansas. The officers waited for the train to arrive and began searching for the suspects.
The men hid in nearby weeds but were observed by the officers. As the officers approached the suspects opened fire, fatally wounding Agent Reed. His partner returned fire but did not strike the suspects. All three suspects were apprehended several hours later.
Agent Reed's killer, age 30, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years. The other two, 17 and 38, were both convicted of manslaughter. The 17-year-old was sentenced to 5 to 20 years and the other to two years.
Agent Reed was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Agent Reed was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Chief Special Agent Reed 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, Chief Special Agent Reed.
— 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.
Will is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Will is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Will is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 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 1920, 16 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Will was 42. 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.
Will was 42. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Will was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Will was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 7.7% of these deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department; March holds the most, 23.1%. Sundays: 30.8%.
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 13 deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 23.1% 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; unknown type, in 5.9% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Will among them.
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Andrew Creason Sep 19, 1903
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Claude H. McDonald Mar 26, 1911
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Hugo P. A. Alvine
Dec 9, 1915
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Charles F. Artz
Jun 27, 1920
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Will C. Reed
Jul 4, 1920
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William E. Waers Jan 11, 1922
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Alfred Allen Gifford
Jun 27, 1922
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Thomas P. Griffin Nov 15, 1923
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Ralph Robinson Mar 31, 1926
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Archibald D. Brandon
Apr 19, 1931
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Rube Tom Pollock
Mar 8, 1934
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Edwin C. Shane Apr 17, 1934
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John W. Whitted Apr 17, 1934
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
