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Incident
Patrolman Meadows was shot and killed just outside of the city limits during a vehicle pursuit of two juvenile suspects who had fled from a boy's camp and taken a family hostage. During the pursuit the two juveniles repeatedely fired at officers, striking Patrolman Meadows in the head. Other officers returned fire, killing one of the suspects, age 14. The other 15-year-old suspect was sent to a state reformatory. On his 17th birthday he was charged with murder but was later acquitted because it could not be determined who fired the fatal shot. He returned to his home in Hammon, Oklahoma, where on February 8, 1967, he murdered his father, his brother, and a friend. He was convicted of three counts of murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to three life terms. He died in prison November 13, 2013.
Survivors
Patrolman Meadows was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Meadows served with the Amarillo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Amarillo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Meadows.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Amarillo Police Department has lost 16 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1964, 2 officers at Amarillo Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1964, 5 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
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.
In 1964, 76 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 99th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 23. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Amarillo Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 24.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 27.5.
William was 23. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
William was 23. 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 was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 10% of these deaths at Amarillo Police Department; January holds the most, 40%. Mondays: 30%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 16 deaths at Amarillo Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Amarillo Police Department has 16 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Preston George Burnam
Jan 5, 1934
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Chester Lewis Grounds
Feb 14, 1934
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Lemuel Dodd Savage
Mar 15, 1945
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B. W. Woods, Jr.
Jan 17, 1955
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Marvin E. Moore, Jr.
Jan 10, 1960
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Claude Bishop Evans
Dec 18, 1961
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Jerry Wayne Cawthon
Jan 1, 1964
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William Stanley Meadows
Jun 8, 1964
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Berry Joe McGuire
Dec 25, 1980
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Delbert Wayne Miller, Sr.
Nov 24, 1982
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James Delbert Mitchell, Jr.
Nov 11, 1985
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Mark Steven Simmons
Dec 17, 2008
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Justin Ryan Scherlen
Aug 4, 2016
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Raquel Virginia Saunders
Oct 13, 2021
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Michael David Dunn
Oct 22, 2021
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Miguel Eladio Sanchez
Dec 27, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Amarillo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
