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Incident
Chief of Police Ben Williams was shot and killed by a notorious outlaw known as the Apache Kid. The outlaw and his gang were also responsible for the murders of Sheriff Glenn Reynolds and Deputy William Holmes, of the Gila County Sheriff's Office, in 1889 and of Deputy Sheriff Jake Bowman of the Cochise County Sheriff's Office in 1893. The exact date that Chief Williams was murdered in 1890 is not known. The Apache Kid was a former sergeant of the U.S. Army's Indian Scouts who assisted General George Crook in the capture of Geronimo. He was later charged with desertion and murder following a drunken riot in which several Indians were killed. In 1888, he was sent to Alcatraz, but his conviction was overturned one year later. Soon afterward, he and several other Indians were re-arrested and again convicted of the charges. While being transported to the Yuma Territorial Prison, they escaped, resulting in the murders of Sheriff Glenn Reynolds and Deputy William Holmes. For the next five years, the Apache Kid and his fellow warriors went along the U.S.-Mexican border, committing murders and other crimes along both sides of the border. The Apache Kid mysteriously disappeared in 1894.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
136 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Chief of Police Williams served with the Bisbee Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bisbee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bisbee Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Ben is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Ben is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ben 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 1890, 2 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1890, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1890, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
January holds 8.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Bisbee Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.9% 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
Bisbee Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Ben among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Bisbee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.