Police Officer William T. Kohler
Oakland Police Department
California
End of Watch: Saturday, July 4, 1931

Biographical Info
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 25 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, July 4, 1931
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Officer Kohler was shot and killed while investigating a call from two utility workers. The two men had told the officer they had seen several broken slot machines nearby. When Officer Kohler went to the scene he found two youths, shooting at tin cans. As he approached, the suspects opened fire, striking him several times. The suspects then drove over his body as they fled.

The gun the suspects used had been stolen from an officer they had shot and wounded in Alameda County one week earlier. That officers life was saved when a bullet deflected off his badge. The suspects were arrested a few days later in Beaver, Utah, when they were caught attempting to steal a car.

Both suspects, both 17, were convicted of first degree murder on September 18, 1931, and sentenced to life in San Quentin Prison.

Officer Kohler had been with the agency for 25 years.