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Detective William H. Ballard | Wichita Police Department, Kansas
Wichita Police Department, Kansas

Detective

William H. Ballard

Wichita Police Department, Kansas

End of Watch: Tuesday, July 20, 1920

Biographical Info

Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 20, 1920
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Committed suicide

Detective William Ballard was shot and killed as he and two other officers searched two suspects in a small shack just west of First Street and Wichita Street.

They had searched the first man but apparently missed a .32 caliber handgun he was concealing. As they began to search the second subject the first subject opened fire, killing Detective Ballard and wounding one of the other officers. Both men fled from the shack but were apprehended. One later committed suicide in prison and the other attempted suicide.

Detective Ballard had served with the Wichita Police Department for five years and had previously served as a deputy marshal with the Wichita City Court for four years. He was survived by his wife, four sons, three daughters, and five siblings.