William Preston Bryant
Agency patch
Patrolman

William Preston Bryant

Louisville Police Department — Louisville, KY
Felonious
End of Watch August 18, 1943
Age 54
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
The Vigil Panel 80 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Bryant succumbed to gunshot wounds the previous day when he was shot during a traffic stop while patrolling Beat 47 in the West End near the intersection of 43rd Street and Garland Avenue. Unbeknownst to Patrolman Bryant, the four occupants were planning to rob a local bank and the vehicle had been stolen from the Louisville police chief so the occupants could listen to the police radio during the robbery. Three of the suspects were apprehended within a few days and fourth was apprehended several months later. The shooter pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 21 years in prison Patrolman Bryant had served with the Louisville Police Department for 17 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

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.
Patrolman Bryant gave the Louisville Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bryant.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Louisville, Jefferson County, KY
Platform Identity lpd.jefferson.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 18, 1943
Tour of Duty 17 yrs
Age 54
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

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
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1943, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 54. 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 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

August holds 8.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Louisville Police Department has 91 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William Preston Bryant

Louisville Police Department · End of Watch August 18, 1943

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E

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