Sangamon County Sheriff's Department, Illinois
End of Watch Saturday, March 8, 1975
Add to My HeroesWilliam D. Simmons
Deputy William Simmons was shot and killed while checking on a stolen vehicle.
While the deputy was on the scene the suspect who was responsible for stealing the vehicle drove up in a tow truck. The man then approached Deputy Simmons and shot and killed him while the deputy was seated in his patrol car.
The suspect was not charged with Deputy Simmons' murder until 1992. The man had been a suspect since the murder, but because of a lack of evidence he was never charged. He had been convicted of another crime in Arkansas and confessed to murdering Deputy Simmons in 1992. He made the confession in order to be transferred to an Illinois prison because he did not like the Arkansas prison system. He was sentenced to 40 years for Deputy Simmons' murder.
Deputy Simmons' killer was paroled in May 2012, but was arrested in Missouri in January 2013 after stealing an ATM.
Deputy Simmons had served with the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department nearly two years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 36
- Tour 1 year, 9 months
- Badge 40
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to 40 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 29 ReflectionsBill and Family,
I was a little boy when my Mom got the call in the middle of the night about your murder from my Dad and your Partner at the Sheriff’s Department. I learned that night and in memorials that followed what Brotherhood is. You (all) lived on profoundly in my Dad’s life and in mine over the last 31 years with the LAPD. To this day, I carry your memory in my cherished daily responsibility of personally ensuring every officer, detective and agent in my charge gets in from their shift and home safely above all else. I will do this as long as I am on the job and consider it my mission to inspire other generations to stand watch the same. I share your story often with young officers to teach, view your memory here when I need the reassurance of a good Partner and thought you would like to know that you are truly remembered every day.
Detective-Sergeant
Los Angeles Police Department
October 10, 2019
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