Officer William Steven Whalen, 38, of the Dayton Police Department was shot and killed on March 22, 1991. He was attempting to stop a vehicle near Xenia Avenue and St. Paul Avenue that had been involved in a shooting at a local hotel when the truck’s driver opened the rear window and fired at him with an AR-15 rifle. Officer Whalen returned fire twice but was struck in the head and killed.

Whalen had served with the Dayton Police Department for 15 years and was remembered by colleagues and the community for his dedication and kindness. The suspect, Karl Vultee, was apprehended, later convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Vultee’s first parole hearing is scheduled for June 2048. Whalen’s name is commemorated on a street sign in Dayton.

If anyone knew Officer Whalen or has information about that night, please share what you remember.