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Incident
Chief Markham was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to take shotgun from a man who was walking the streets threatening people. As the two officers talked with the man he opened fire fatally wounding Chief Markham and blowing away half of the other officer's face. Both managed to return fire leaving the suspect seriously wounded. A citizen, who ran out of a nearby hardware store, was hit with a bullet from Chief Marhham's revolver and killed. On May 27, 1940, the suspect, 37, was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed at Ukiah State Mental Hospital. Chief Markham had served as a constable and chief of police for Willow for 18 years.
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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.
Chief of Police Markham gave the Willows Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Willows community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Markham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dave is the only officer of Willows Police Department remembered here.
Dave is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Dave is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dave is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1940, 4 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 101st heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dave was 69. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Dave had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dave was 69. 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. Dave had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dave was 69. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dave had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Willows Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
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