Wabash Railway Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch: Friday, January 23, 1931
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 23, 1931
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 1931
Patrolman William Keller was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect whom he caught trying to steal brass from railroad engines in the Wabash rail yards in Decatur, Illinois.
As Patrolman Keller walked the two suspects to the yard office one of them ran away. As he continued to walk with the second suspect the man suddenly turned and grabbed Patrolman Keller's gun and shot him four times. Patrolman Keller was able to get medical assistance but later died.
The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On December 11, 1931, he was executed by electrocution at the Menard Correctional Center.
Patrolman Keller had served with the Wabash Railway Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.