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Incident
Detective Sergeant Porter Williams was shot and killed during a labor tension caused by union coal miners rioting. Detective Sergeant Williams, while attempting to disarm a rioting miner, was shot by an unknown suspect. After the detective was mortally wounded, he staggered back against the wall of the Leland Hotel building. He was found with his hands behind his back clutching what was believed to be the suspect's pistol. Of the 25 miners that were arrested on charges of rioting, one made a statement to the coroner that Detective Sergeant Williams was shot by a short man. After shooting the detective, the suspect placed the gun inside his shirt and backed out of the crowd.
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- 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.
Detective Sergeant Williams served with the Springfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Springfield Police Department has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Porter is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Porter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Porter 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 1932, 1 officer at Springfield Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1885, with 2.
In 1932, 21 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Porter was 41. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Springfield Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 36; the middle age was 33.
Porter was 41. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Porter was 41. 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.
Porter was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 11.1% of these deaths at Springfield Police Department; August holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 22.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at Springfield Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Springfield Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Porter among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
