Prev Next
William McPherson
Agency patch
Policeman

William McPherson

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO
Felonious
United States flag Colorado flag
End of Watch March 12, 1912
Age 35
The Vigil Panel 26 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 73

Incident

Policeman William McPherson was shot and killed after being ambushed. He was talking with the barkeeper in a saloon when two masked men entered and opened fire on them. Policeman McPherson was able to return fire and wound one of the suspects. Policeman McPherson succumbed to his injuries three days later. The barkeeper died at the scene. One of the suspects surrendered to the police a short time later. The other suspect was easily captured and it was discovered that he had been shot twice. The suspect who surrendered told police that they intended to rob the saloon. Police discovered that he shot the other suspect out of anger when he saw him shoot Policeman McPherson and the barkeeper. The suspect who did the killing was sentenced to death and hanged on Febuary 26, 1916. The other suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years to life.

Survivors

Policeman McPherson was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpkw6st5zx96596ys265
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman McPherson served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman McPherson.

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

Agency

Department Denver Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Denver, Denver County, CO
Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 12, 1912
Age 35
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.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 35. 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

March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

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

Denver Police Department has 74 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Policeman William McPherson

Denver Police Department · End of Watch March 12, 1912

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W

↑