William Graham Mason
Constable

William Graham Mason

Felonious
End of Watch September 16, 1949
Age 44
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
The Vigil Panel 85 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Constable William Mason and Constable Paul Kisselbach were shot after responding to a man with a gun call at a tavern at 4201 Trendley Avenue. While investigating an unrelated stabbing in the area which occurred an hour earlier, the constables were called to the tavern at 3:30 am where a man had been brandishing a gun. Upon their arrival, the suspect began shooting, striking all three constables with a .38-caliber revolver before fleeing.

The constables were transported to St. Mary's Hospital where Constable Kisselbach, who was shot in the head, succumbed to his wound. Constable Mason, who was shot in the abdomen, died of his wounds six days later. The third constable survived his injuries. The suspect was later apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to 99 years. Constable Mason had served as a constable in Centreville Township for four years.

Constable William Mason and Constable Paul Kisselbach were shot after responding to a man with a gun call at a tavern at 4201 Trendley Avenue.

While investigating an unrelated stabbing in the area which occurred an hour earlier, the constables were called to the tavern at 3:30 am where a man had been brandishing a gun. Upon their arrival, the suspect began shooting, striking all three constables with a .38-caliber revolver before fleeing.

The constables were transported to St. Mary's Hospital where Constable Kisselbach, who was shot in the head, succumbed to his wound. Constable Mason, who was shot in the abdomen, died of his wounds six days later. The third constable survived his injuries.

The suspect was later apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to 99 years.

Constable Mason had served as a constable in Centreville Township for four years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Constable Mason gave the Centreville Township Constable's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Centreville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Mason.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Centreville, Saint Clair County, IL
Platform Identity ctco.stclair.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 16, 1949
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 44
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1949, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 44. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

September holds 9.1% 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; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Centreville Township Constable's Office has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.

VI

Where

Constable William Graham Mason

Centreville Township Constable's Office · End of Watch September 16, 1949

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Centreville Township Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.

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