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Incident
Police Officer William Hickman succumbed to complications of an internal injury he sustained while assisting at a crash scene near the intersection of East 2nd Avenue and South 5th Street on November 1st, 1957.
He had responded to the scene of a crash involving a vehicle that struck a large drain tile in the roadway. He suffered an internal abdominal injury as he attempted to move the drain tile out of the roadway.
The following month he underwent surgery as a result of the injury. He developed a fatal pulmonary embolism after the surgery.
Officer Hickman had served with the Indianola Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Hickman gave the Indianola Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hickman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
William is the only officer of Indianola Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 12 officers lost to illness in IA, 5.3% of the 226 remembered there.
William is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1957, 1 officer in IA was lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 3.
In 1957, 1 officer in the United States was lost to illness, the 75th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1957, 5 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 115th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
William was 63. Of the 11 lost to illness in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 52 and 59.5; the middle age was 58. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
William was 63. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
William was 63. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
December holds 8.3% of these deaths in IA; January holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 25%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Fridays: 14.8%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 14.9%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Indianola Police Department.
Illness deaths account for 5.3% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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