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Incident
Detective William Ballard was shot and killed as he and two other officers searched two suspects in a small shack just west of First Street and Wichita Street. They had searched the first man but apparently missed a .32 caliber handgun he was concealing. As they began to search the second subject the first subject opened fire, killing Detective Ballard and wounding one of the other officers. Both men fled from the shack but were apprehended. One later committed suicide in prison and the other attempted suicide. Detective Ballard had served with the Wichita Police Department for five years and had previously served as a deputy marshal with the Wichita City Court for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, three daughters, and five siblings.
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.
Detective Ballard gave the Wichita Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wichita community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Ballard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wichita Police Department has lost 24 officers; 15 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 1 officer at Wichita Police Department was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 3.
In 1920, 7 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 52. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Wichita Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 40; the middle age was 36. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
William was 52. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
William was 52. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 6.7% of these deaths at Wichita Police Department; November holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
July holds 11.4% of these deaths in KS, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 24 deaths at Wichita Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Wichita Police Department has 24 officers remembered here, William among them.
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J. W. Kerwin Mar 23, 1888
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Henry Ebenhack Sep 24, 1888
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S. A. Hartzell
Dec 14, 1888
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William L. Humphries
Feb 23, 1915
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Frank W. Griswold
May 23, 1915
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William H. Ballard
Jul 20, 1920
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A. L. Young
Nov 5, 1921
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Robert Fitzpatrick
Nov 21, 1921
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Charles D. Hoffman
Nov 25, 1921
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Charles E. Galloway
Jul 15, 1923
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Robert C. Scudder
Nov 30, 1923
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Harrison R. Brown
Jan 5, 1925
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Edward W. Hall
Apr 10, 1925
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Vernon E. Ogden
Jun 26, 1927
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Joseph Earl Marshall
Aug 29, 1927
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Paul E. Gilmore
Jul 18, 1930
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James O. Pugh
Jul 31, 1930
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Merle Rankin Colver
Aug 14, 1931
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David A. Kenyon
Oct 26, 1962
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Paul Garofalo
Nov 8, 1980
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Danny Dean Laffey
Jan 5, 1982
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John Eugene Galvin
Nov 4, 2000
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Stephen Martin Oct 30, 2005
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Clay Morsell Germany
Jul 9, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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