U.S. Marine Corps · United States 
William Sherman
1927
William Ford Sherman served the U.S. Marine Corps.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Location: Kansas
Incident Date: Wednesday, August 17, 1927
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Offender: Convicted
Special Agent William Sherman succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two weeks earlier while attempting to arrest two men loitering in a freight yard in Topeka, Kansas. As he searched one of the men, the second man was able to move behind him and ordered him to raise his hands.
As Agent Sherman was turning around he was shot in the back. The men then fled the scene. A train foreman located the agent a short time later and he was taken to a local hospital. The following day he was transported to a hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained until succumbing to his wounds.
The two men were apprehended the following year and convicted of Agent Sherman's murder.
Agent Sherman had previously served with the United States Marine Corps and was survived by his wife and young son.
Incident Date: Wednesday, August 17, 1927
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Offender: Convicted
Special Agent William Sherman succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two weeks earlier while attempting to arrest two men loitering in a freight yard in Topeka, Kansas. As he searched one of the men, the second man was able to move behind him and ordered him to raise his hands.
As Agent Sherman was turning around he was shot in the back. The men then fled the scene. A train foreman located the agent a short time later and he was taken to a local hospital. The following day he was transported to a hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained until succumbing to his wounds.
The two men were apprehended the following year and convicted of Agent Sherman's murder.
Agent Sherman had previously served with the United States Marine Corps and was survived by his wife and young son.
Survivors
Agent Sherman had previously served with the United States Marine Corps and was survived by his wife and young son.
Service Record
U.S. Marine Corps
Also Served
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department
Special Agent
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnpvby4z58bjc17jhc3p
Record added
August 2, 2026
neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by
neuraweb.nw
Last updated
August 2, 2026
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
Be the first to honor William.
Leave a Tribute