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Incident
Chief William Armsey was shot to death and the Richland County sheriff was seriously wounded as they attempted to arrest a man who was wanted for assaulting another officer.
The suspect had severely beaten a deputy sheriff who had been assigned to guard the suspect's estranged wife whom he had previously threatened. According to reports, the officers went to the suspect's mother's house to make the arrest. Although the suspect resisted at first, he was quickly handcuffed. At that point, he asked the officers if he could go in the house to get a clean shirt. Once inside, the suspect appeared at a window holding a shotgun and yelled a threat to both officers.
Chief Armsey, who had lost his pistol in the scuffle with the suspect, was shot at point-blank range and died instantly. The sheriff, who was not armed, ran to the back door of the suspect's house, but was wounded when he tried to enter and grab the suspect from behind.
The suspect was arrested without incident a short time later by a state police officer, taken to the Newton County Jail as a precaution against mob violence and charged with first-degree murder. On December 18, 1940, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years. He had a parole hearing in 1953 but the result is not known.
Chief Armsey had served with the Olney Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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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 Armsey gave the Olney Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Olney community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Armsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Olney Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1940, 2 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 99th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
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
William was 57. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. William had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 57. 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 had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 57. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Olney Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 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 20-E
What is kept
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