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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Christopher Willems was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop in a parking lot at 1104 West 31st Street. While questioning the three occupants he grew suspicious of one of them. The man, who had an outstanding warrant, had given Deputy Willems his brother's name. Deputy Willems was granted permission to search the van and he located a small amount of marijuana. As he placed the suspect under arrest a struggle ensued. During the struggle one of the other men grabbed a .357 caliber revolver from the van and shot Deputy Willems in the leg and then in the head, killing him. The suspect who had struggled with Deputy Willems and the one who shot him were both convicted of his murder and sent to prison. One died in prison in 2020. The third suspect, who had run from the scene prior to the shooting, was not charged. Deputy Willems had served with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department for 7-1/2 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Willems gave the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Willems.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department has lost 10 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Christopher is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher 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 1991, 1 officer at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1991, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Christopher was 30. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.8 and 42.5; the middle age was 33. Christopher had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 2.7 years.
Christopher was 30. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Christopher had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Christopher 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. Christopher had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 7.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10% of these deaths at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department; September holds the most, 30%. Sundays: 20%.
May holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 30% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.4% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department has 10 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.
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Carlos B. King
Sep 23, 1871
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Frank Hill
Aug 16, 1927
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Roy Vance Johnson
Oct 31, 1974
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Terry Wayne McNett
Feb 2, 1988
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Christopher C. Willems
May 12, 1991
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Kevin S. Easter
Jan 8, 1996
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Kenneth Eugene Snider
Apr 18, 1997
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Brian Scott Etheridge
Sep 28, 2009
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Robert Kenneth Kunze, III
Sep 16, 2018
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Sidnee Carter
Oct 7, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
