Cincinnati Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch Tuesday, March 24, 1931
Add to My HeroesWilliam Orma Sorrell
Patrolman William Sorrell was shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery in progress. The suspect was never apprehended.
At 10:00 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 1931, Patrolman Sorrell and his partner Patrolman William Kist, walked into a drugstore located at the corner of Betts and Linn Street in Cincinnati and unknowingly interrupted a robbery in progress. Two male suspects had just robbed the store of $70-$75 and were preparing to leave as the officers walked in. One of the suspects opened fire on the officers, striking Patrolman Sorrell in the forehead before he had a chance to reach for his weapon. The men ran out of the store with Patrolman Kist in pursuit, but were able to elude the officer.
Two men who were executed on August 14, 1933, for the murder of a bank cashier in Silverton, told Cincinnati detectives that they killed Patrolman Sorrell a few days before they were executed. The detectives said they answered questions in such a way that proved they murdered Patrolman Sorrell.
Patrolman Sorrell had been with the agency for four years and was survived by his wife and two sons.
Bio
- Age 28
- Tour 4 years
- Badge 57
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Executed for another murder.
Most Recent Reflection
View all 10 ReflectionsPatrolman Sorrell,
On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Cincinnati. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
March 24, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Walter Jenkins
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: March 29, 2022

Police Officer David Glen Evans
San Antonio Police Department, TX
EOW: February 25, 2022

Sheriff Robert P. Craft
Marion County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: February 16, 2022