Policeman

William O. Steam

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO
Felonious
End of Watch February 18, 1921
Age 48
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
The Vigil Panel 40 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Policeman William Steam was shot and killed from behind by a man who was angry that the officer had just shut down an illegal dance hall. The man approached Policeman Steam and shot him in the back and back of the head, killing him.

The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.

Policeman Steam had served with the Denver Police Department for 11 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
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Stewardship
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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.
Policeman Steam gave the Denver Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Steam.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Denver, Denver County, CO
Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 18, 1921
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Age 48
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 48. 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 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Denver Police Department has 74 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Policeman William O. Steam

Denver Police Department · End of Watch February 18, 1921

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W

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