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Incident
Chief David Williams was kidnapped and left to die in a field. He had spotted a man with a painted face who was acting suspicious and picked him up. He radioed in that he had taken the suspect into custody and that he needed assistance. The man's intent was to kidnap one of the two Ryan officers and lock them in a car trunk so he could then rob the Ryan drug store. Chief Williams' car was driven into a creek, and his frozen body was found in a field approximately a quarter mile away the next day. Chief Williams' abductor was tried on first-degree murder charges, but the trial ended in a hung jury. He later plead no contest to a charge of first-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to five years. He served four years and one month and died in 1994. Chief Williams served with the Ryan Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
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
You barely got started.
Police Chief Williams gave the Ryan Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Ryan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Chief Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
David is the only officer of Ryan Police Department remembered here.
David is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 1 officer in OK was killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 30. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. David had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
David was 30. 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. David had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.4% of these deaths in OK; June holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 16.1%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ryan Police Department. The weapon recorded was not available, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.5% 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 not available, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Ryan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.