William Arthur Robertson
Agency patch
Police Officer

William Arthur Robertson

Milwaukee Police Department — Milwaukee, WI
Felonious
End of Watch September 7, 1994
Age 31
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 785
The Vigil Panel 140 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer William Robertson was shot and killed from ambush when a shot was fired into his police van. Officer Robertson was riding as a passenger in the van when the shooting took place. The ambush was undertaken by two suspects, one of whom was standing on a corner next to a stop sign. When the van approached he signaled to the second suspect who was hiding in a nearby vacant lot. The second suspect fired a rifle shot into the van, striking Officer Robertson. Both men were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Robertson had served with the Milwaukee Police Department for one year and had previously served with the Whitefish Bay Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife, who later delivered twins.

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.
Police Officer Robertson gave the Milwaukee Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milwaukee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Robertson.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI
Platform Identity mpd.milwaukee.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 7, 1994
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 31
Badge Number 785
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 31. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Milwaukee Police Department has 69 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer William Arthur Robertson

Milwaukee Police Department · End of Watch September 7, 1994

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E

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