Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

In June of 1964 I had just finished my junior year at WTSU but I still needed to take a summer course to stay on schedule to graduate in 1965. The dorms were closed for the summer and I needed a place to live. As luck would have it my good friend Todd W. called me with an offer. He was working for a funeral home in the heart of downtown Amarillo and as part of his employment was required to live on premise. The company needed someone to always be present during non-business hours in case a family or loved ones needed to view a body. He couldn’t literally always be there so he needed a roommate to share the responsibility. It was a free room for the duration of the summer so I jumped at the chance.
In the hours after midnight of June 8th, we were awakened with a lot of loud noises. There were doors opening and closing loudly, rolling gurneys, heavy footsteps and loud voices. It went on for a couple of hours or more before all was finally quiet. We had to pass through the embalming room to access the shower and toilet. That morning on my way to take a shower I encountered a gruesome sight. There were two bodies side by side on gurneys with wounds that suggested violent deaths. One was a mature man, older than me but still a young man, the other was younger than me by several years. Of course Todd and I rather quickly learned the details of their deaths.
What I encountered that morning has never dimmed in my memory and I seldom speak of it, mainly out of respect for the two deceased, but also because I’ve always had a nagging doubt as to whether I should have been allowed to see it in the first place, and not least, it’s a bit of a mood killer. It all happened 55 years ago. I’ll soon be 76 and I find myself being more and more philosophical. I think of the scene I encountered that morning as an interesting juxtaposition. Symbolic in the sense that hours earlier they were mortal combatants and now the two lay next to one another with none of life’s accouterments, only themselves and their deeds, awaiting God’s judgment. I find it easy to believe that Officer Meadows quickly entered into the Kingdom of Heaven, but I always wonder just how harshly God chose to judge that troubled young teenager.
I hope my account of these events has not reopened any old wounds, and I sincerely hope that the passage of time has brought solace to all.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kennith Stevens

Kennith W. Stevens
Student at the time

June 22, 2019

Meadows was my good friend. I was off the night he got killed. It really hurt to learn he had been killed. He was a good officer full of life and fun to be around and work with. I bought a motor cycle from him about a week before he was shot. He will never be forgotten.

Milton Pool
Amarillo Police Department

June 9, 2019

Meadows was my good friend. I was off the night he got killed. It really hurt to learn he had been killed. He was a good officer full of life and fun to be around and work with. I bought a motor cycle from him about a week before he was shot. He will never be forgotten.

Milton Pool retired Captain
Amarillo Police Department

June 9, 2019

May this hero always be remembered! RIP Ofc Meadows, thank you for your service.

Robin Christian
Citizen

June 8, 2019

Bill and I went to rookie school together RIP brother.

Detective Sgt APD
Retired Special Agent US Teasury

June 8, 2018

My friend and buddie. Died at an early age. RIP Milton Pool

Milton Pool retired Captain
Amarillo Police Department

December 18, 2017

Rest in Peace Patrolman William Stanley Meadows. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Amarillo, Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers. I also Pray that the hounds of hell are gnawing on the bones of those responsible for your murder. May they rot in hell!

Amen.

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, TX

June 8, 2016

I grew up living next door to Bill and his adorable little wife Lynn. My daddy, Walter Head, was also a police officer and started Amarillo P.D's first canine cotp. Warrior was his dog. We had many cook outs with Bill and Lynn. At the time of his death, I was about 7 or 8 years old. I had such a crush on Bill and I remember when he got his police motorcycle because he gave me a short ride around the block. He a d Lynn had lived briefly in Hawaii and she could hula dance. She was always trying to teach it to me.
Upon learning g of his death she stayed at our house. After his funeral she wanted to sleep in their home that night. The next morning g she came over to our house early with a very serene expression and smile. She said, "Sit down Suzy, I want to tell you something. I couldn't bring myself to sleep in our bed last night so I laid down on the couch. At one point I woke up and Bill was standing g at the foot of the couch looking at me. He had his uniform on. He smiled and told me 'Don't be sad, Honey. I'm ok now. And you're going to bring happy again some day. I'll always love you."

She moved soon after that but we did get letters from her, including one several years later, telling us she had fallen in love and was getting g married. So Bill was right. I will never forget his beautiful twinkling blue eyes and hid boyish freckle face.

Susan Head Chesnut
Friend

April 17, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 8, 2015

As a family member I would like to thank all of you for your comments. William is my uncle but passed away before I was born. I have heard details of his death from my mother and Mr. Peters contacted us a few years ago and filled in even more details. Sounds like he was an amazing man who had a big heart! If anyone knew him personally and would like to share with me please email me [email protected].

Sheila Beasley Thrasher
neice

November 12, 2013

I worked for the APD in the Services division. I knew Bill quite well and had the unfortunate task of booking in all the evidence in his murder, to include the pictures which someone left on the counter with no label.

He was an absolutely fantastic person and as my dad (who spent 40 years in law enforcement) would say -- he was one damned fine officer!

Valerie Conley/Civilian
Friend/used to work for Amarillo Police Department

October 28, 2013

Williams sister was Brenda she married my uncle Cecil who was electrocuted by a tragic accident when I was 7 years old. From what I remember, William stayed close with our family until his fatal murder when I was 12. I'm 61 now and still clearly remember.......,William (Bill) and his encounter with the horrific truth of sudden death. I still have front page news articles from the event. John Kennedy had been killed only a few months before. I felt the whole world was coming apart.

Citizen
Nephew

February 28, 2013

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

January 4, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 48th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

June 23, 2012

I am a retired Amarillo Police Officer. Bill I attended the 12th session of the Amarillo Police Academy, From Dec. 1st, 1962, through Feb 22nd, 1963. We rode together, the night before his death, and I was off duty the night he was killed. I was also a pall bearer at his funeral. He is buried in Olton, Texas, roughly 100 miles from Amarillo. I had been in contact with his family sparingly over the years, and last year, attended his sister's funeral in Plainview, Texas, re-establishing friendships. I think of him often, visit his grave less, but still remember.

Sgt. Charles M. Peters, Retired
Amarillo Police Department.

June 3, 2012

I am an Amarillo Police Officer now. I pass your picture every day in the lobby without thinking. Today I took the time to find out something about you. God Bless brother

Officer Eatley
APD

April 23, 2012

I remember your raising pigs with my family only 1.25 miles east from where you were murdered. I was 12 years old and can still clearly remember my parents running through our home crying and shouting at the news. Your untimely death and the way it happened has stayed with all of us until even now. You have never been forgotten.

Anonymous

June 10, 2010

This happened over 40 years ago, but I am reading it
for the very first time. It rips my heart apart. You deserved so much better. God will deal with your murderer on Judgment Day and it won't be pretty.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

September 13, 2007

Fallen but never forgotten. Rest in peace brother. Nemo Me Impune Lacessit.

Ofc. B. Boles #349
Westworth Village PD TX

May 26, 2007

I remember traveling to Bill Meadows hometown one day to perform the required background check with neighbors and references that he had listed in his APD application form. At the time I was a Training Officer and field Patrolman for the APD. I had the distinct pleasure of recommending that Bill should be hired for the next academy. I had the pleasure of giving him training at the academy as well as riding with him as a senior partner while he gained field experience. Bill became an excellent Police Officer. Bill was shot as he topped a hill on the Canyon Highway into Amarillo. The following day I had to drive his car to the city shop for repairs while looking at the bullet hole directly in front of me on the windshield. I will never forget that day, and I will never forget Bill, and how much he wanted to be a Police Officer. He realized his life's dream and became one of the best rookies that the department had in 1964. May you rest in peace Bill, your friend always, Raul.

EX Police Officer Raul H. Diaz
Amarillo Police Department 1961-1968

September 26, 2006

Bill:

I will never forget coming to work and having to book in the evidence and crime scene photos from your murder. What a horrible way to find out you lost a friend.

I'm sure you are up there patrolling Heaven with Jerry Cawthon!

Anonymous
Friend

July 12, 2006

William you are still remembered Brother. Your faitful service is remembered by God. 01/19/2004

Sr. Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

January 19, 2004

Brother, your sacrifice will never be forgotten. May God continue to bless you and your family.

Special Agent
FBI New York

November 7, 2003