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Incident
Location: Nebraska Incident Date: Friday, December 22, 1893 Weapon: Person Offender: Unknown
Special Agent William Ransom succumbed to a head injury sustained on December 22nd, 1893, while attempting to arrest a subject in Wahoo, Nebraska.
Agent Ransom had been sent to the area to investigate a rash of recent burglaries. At approximately 10:00 pm he observed a man getting out of a freight car in the rail yards and attempting to arrest him. During the ensuing struggle Agent Ransom was knocked to the ground and struck his head on a railroad tie. He was taken St. Joseph's Hospital, in Omaha, where his condition continued to worsen until he died of his injuries.
Agent Ransom had served with the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Agent Ransom gave the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Omaha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 21 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1894, 1 officer at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1904, with 2.
In 1894, 1 officer in NE was killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1894, 70 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 103rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1894, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 37. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34.5 and 46.8; the middle age was 38.5. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
William was 37. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 37. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 15.4% of these deaths at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department; August holds the most, 46.2%. Mondays: 30.8%.
January holds 9.3% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Mondays: 11.3%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.9% of all 21 deaths at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.2% of all 151 deaths in NE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 4.1% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Henry Vincents
Aug 19, 1878
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William E. Ransom
Jan 29, 1894
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William C. Downing Jan 29, 1901
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Thomas Gentleman Jan 8, 1904
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Theodore Franklin Wiser Sep 10, 1904
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Edward Scott Mar 28, 1910
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William Floyd Aug 4, 1910
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Lloyd James Spaur
Aug 4, 1912
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George Shindle
Jul 3, 1916
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Ray Watson Daugherty
Nov 19, 1917
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George R. Stewart Jul 27, 1918
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Jess L. Sitton Mar 4, 1922
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William Ford Sherman
Aug 31, 1927
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Eldon L. Smith Aug 4, 1932
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Norman G. Fowler Aug 29, 1932
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Ralph Ransom Taylor
Oct 14, 1933
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Gerald A. Schuett
Dec 22, 1968
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Dean L. McLaughlin Apr 6, 1977
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Larry Eugene Boles
Jul 9, 1977
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Kevin Patrick Hogan Jan 18, 1991
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Aaron Garcia
May 7, 2008
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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