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Incident
Chief William Bauer was killed in an automobile accident two miles east of Camp Grove in Marshall County.
At about 11:30 am, Chief Bauer was traveling eastbound on County Road 1050 North when a southbound vehicle on County Road 250 East entered the intersection, pulling into his path. Chief Bauer suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was en route to an Illinois Valley Crime Commission executive board luncheon in Hennepin at the time of the accident.
The driver of the other vehicle was cited for failing to yield at a stop sign.
Chief Bauer had served with the Wyoming Police Department for over 7½ years and for the past year was also the acting chief of the Bradford Police Department. He had previously served as a part-time officer with the Henry, Princeton and Sheffield police departments for five years.
Chief Bauer was survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, sister, father and grandparents.
Survivors
Chief Bauer was survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, sister, father and grandparents.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Bauer gave the Wyoming Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wyoming community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Bauer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
William is the only officer of Wyoming Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 4 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 2010, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2010, 79 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 60th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 36. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. William had served 12.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 12.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 36. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 12.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Fridays: 13%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wyoming Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wyoming Police Department are honored on badge.nw.