William J. Greller
Agency patch
Patrolman

William J. Greller

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Felonious
End of Watch September 18, 1964
Age 34
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Badge 1210
The Vigil Panel 99 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman William Greller was shot and killed when he and another officer interrupted a robbery in progress at a local meat packing plant. The two officer had gone to the plant to interview the owner about a previous burglary. Coincidentally, when they arrived, the plant's office was being robbed. The suspect immediately opened fire on the two officers, striking Patrolman Greller in the chest twice. The other officer was shot in the arm but was able to return fire and kill the suspect. Patrolman Greller had served with the Cleveland Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four sons.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Greller gave the Cleveland Division of Police 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Greller.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 18, 1964
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 34
Badge Number 1210
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

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.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1964, 75 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 34. 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 6 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cleveland Division of Police has 119 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Patrolman William J. Greller

Cleveland Division of Police · End of Watch September 18, 1964

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W

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