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Incident
Constable Cody was shot and killed in the line of duty while serving as a constable in Beaumont. A fight among railroad workers occurred on the Kansas City and Southwestern Road near the village of Beaumont during which one of the bosses, a railroad foreman, shot and wounded one of the workers. Later that evening, Constable Thomas Cody located the suspect and attempted to arrest the man who then shot and killed Constable Cody. A $950 reward was put up for information leading to the arrest of the suspect, who was later apprehended.
Survivors
Constable Cody 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
141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Cody served with the Butler County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the El Dorado community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Butler County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 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 15,743 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 1885, 3 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1885, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1885, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 34. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
William was 34. 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 was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 5.5% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Butler County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 32.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Butler County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Butler County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
