Detective William Rolniak Jr. - Riverdale Police Dept. - True Life Hero

William Rolniak Jr. ("Wally")
- Feb. 04, 2004 -

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Riverdale Police Department Agency Patch

Resided:	IL, USA
Born:	Unk
Fallen:	Feb. 04, 2004
Race/Sex:	Caucasian Male / 39 yrs. of age
	Agency
Dept:	Riverdale Police Dept. IL USA
Dept. Type:	Municipal/Police
Hero's Rank:	Detective
Sworn Date:	Unk
FBI Class:	Homicide - Gun
Weapon Class:	Firearm
Badge:	101
On The Job:	14 years

Bio: Not Available

Fatal Incident Summary

Offender:	No Info
Location:	IL USA Wed. Feb. 04, 2004
Summary:	Detective William Rolniak was shot and killed execution style after being taken hostage inside the Riverdale police station. The suspect had been in custody on charges of attempted murder, home invasion and aggravated kidnapping after breaking into a home and abducting his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint nine days earlier, despite having an order of protection issued against him. The suspect had just finished being interviewed by an assistant state's attorney and was being transferred from an interview room to the lockup area of the station when he grabbed Detective Rolniak's service weapon out of its holster at approximately 8:15 pm. The suspect was not handcuffed at the time because he had been cooperating with the authorities. The suspect then forced Detective Rolniak out of the police station, took him behind a building across the street and shot him in the head. The suspect attempted to flee by trying to carjack three different vehicles, shooting and wounding an elderly man who refused to give up his vehicle. Three other officers in pursuit of the suspect ordered him to drop the weapon, but instead, he aimed the gun at the officers, who then shot and killed him. Detective Rolniak was transported to Christ Medical Center where he died two hours later. Detective Rolniak had served with the Riverdale Police Department for 14 years and was a US Air Force veteran. He was survived by his wife, two teenage daughters, parents and three sisters. On March 4, 2005, the Detective William (Wally) Rolniak Jr. Public Safety Building was dedicated in his honor.
Source:	Website Click

More from Riverdale Police Dept.

Tributes
Thanks to all who attended the funeral of Detective XXXXXXXXX of the Riverdale Ill Police Dept. Your support was greatly needed by all who knew and loved Wally. We are forever grateful. Sandi Krol . . . Jan. 27, 2004

Last Updated: May. 29, 2019