Police Officer William A. Dillon

William A. Dillon

Police Officer William Dillon was shot and killed while investigating the murder of Officer John McKenna.

Officer McKenna was shot and killed while investigating two brothers, ages 19 and 21, he believed were stealing copper streetcar wire. He had observed a car believed to be used in the thefts and stopped the two occupants. When he searched the men he located a revolver on one of them, at which time he escorted them to a nearby business. One of the men asked if he could get a drink of water and Officer McKenna allowed him to do so. As the man walked behind Officer McKenna he produced a small handgun hidden in his waist band and shot him in the back of the head, killing him.

The two men fled the scene and went to their home. Officer William Dillon, who received a description of the car while checking in during his rounds, recognized it as a car belonging to two brothers. He went to their home and spotted them in the garage. As he entered the garage at gunpoint he was attacked from behind with a hatchet. The two suspects beat him to death and then buried his body in a shallow grave.

Both men were eventually apprehended and sentenced to hang, however, their sentences were commuted to life. One was paroled on January 6, 1941.

Officer Dillon was survived by his parents.