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Incident
Chief of Police William Bearshield was stabbed to death by a man who had been harassing him at a pow-wow at Milks Camp. When the chief confronted the man he was stabbed. The 18-year-old suspect was arrested by FBI agents and charged on a federal warrant with second-degree murder. On December 5, 2009, the suspect was a victim of a murder-suicide after his son, 22, shot and killed him and then himself in an apartment in Clarksville, Tennessee. Chief Bearshield had served with the Gregory Police Department for four years. He was buried at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three daughters, two sons, one grandchild, and six siblings.
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.
Chief of Police Bearshield gave the Gregory Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gregory community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Bearshield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Gregory Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 2 officers in SD were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 42. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 42. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13.5% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Mondays: 13.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Gregory Police Department. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 8.1% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Gregory Police Department are honored on badge.nw.