William J. Borgman
Agency patch
Patrolman

William J. Borgman

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Felonious
End of Watch April 20, 1926
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 51 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Borgman was shot and killed when he responded to the sounds of gunfire coming from a store at the corner of East 14th Street and Euclid Avenue. Unbeknownst to Patrolman Borgman, a detective had been stationed at the store following a series of robberies. An armed man entered the store and, when confronted by the detective, began to struggle and opened fire. When Patrolman Borgman arrived he ordered the men to stop firing, but the suspect, in turn, fired at Patrolman Borgman, striking him in the chest. The suspect was struck five times and killed. The detective was shot in the leg and wounded. Patrolman Borgman had been with the Cleveland Division of Police for seven years and had been assigned to the corner of East 14th Street for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Borgman gave the Cleveland Division of Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Borgman.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 20, 1926
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

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 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

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

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cleveland Division of Police has 119 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Patrolman William J. Borgman

Cleveland Division of Police · End of Watch April 20, 1926

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W

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