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William H. Waggoner
Agency patch
Patrolman

William H. Waggoner

Long Beach Police Department — Long Beach, CA
Felonious
United States flag California flag
End of Watch December 18, 1954
Age 60
The Vigil Panel 200 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 27

Incident

Patrolman William Waggoner succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on December 23rd, 1930, while attempting to apprehend four kidnapping suspects.

He and two other officers came across the men in a parked vehicle near the docks in Long Beach. The man had been suspected of kidnapping a wealthy gambler, his wife, and their houseboy.

One of the suspects was a former lieutenant of Al Capone's gang Chicago, Illinois. All four were aquitted of assault with intent to commit murder in connection with Patrolman Waggoner's shooting. The ringleader of the gang was subsequently convicted of kidnapping the gambler and sentenced to life in prison.

Patrolman Waggoner became paralyzed as a result of the wound. His condition continued to worsen and he died as a result of complications of the wound on December 18th, 1954. His death was ruled a homicide by the coroner.

Patrolman Waggoner was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and three grandchildren.

Survivors

Patrolman Waggoner was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and three grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Patrolman Waggoner served with the Long Beach Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Long Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Waggoner.

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

Agency

Department Long Beach Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Long Beach, Los Angeles County, CA
Platform Identity lbpd.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 18, 1954
Age 60
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 60. 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.

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

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.

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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Long Beach Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William H. Waggoner

Long Beach Police Department · End of Watch December 18, 1954

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E

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