Former Danville Police officer, Korean War vet dies at 92
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The Danville Police Department is mourning the death of a retired officer who served his country and community for decades.
Police Chief Christopher Yates said via Facebook that William Engle Jr. passed away April 2 at the age of 92. Engle served in the Korean War before becoming a Danville Police officer for 23 years.
He served in many roles over the years, working in the Patrol Division as an Officer and the Criminal Investigation Division as a Sergeant. Yates said Engle returned to the Patrol Division as a Lieutenant and even served as Interim Chief of Police at one point. He retired in 1982 as a Lieutenant.
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Yates said Engle was well-liked and well-respected by his peers and subordinates.
'As a young patrol officer, I would often see Bill outside of his residence and rarely would he fail to flag an officer down just to say, 'hello,'' Yates said. 'Bill didn't know a stranger and was friendly to everyone. He had a young spirit even in his later years.'
Yates added that Engle was proud of his sports car and stayed active by playing golf and traveling. Yates was 'pretty sure' Engle once told a jet ski story that happened when he was in his 80s.
'Bill loved life,' Yates put it simply.
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Engle's retirement lasted 43 years, but he continued to attend police events after retirement. He had his family at the DPD, Yates said, but he also had his family at home.
'The Danville Police Department and I send our condolences to all his family and friends,' Yates said. 'Thank you, Bill for your years of service to this community, your family, and our country.'
Yates will be buried with full military honors on Tuesday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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