City Marshal William Thomas Cross, Columbia Police Department, South Carolina

City Marshal William Thomas Cross

Columbia Police Department, South Carolina

End of Watch Friday, December 21, 1855

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William Thomas Cross

City Marshal William Cross was shot and fatally wounding while attempting to quell a disturbance outside of a saloon on Gervais Street on December 14th, 1855.

He succumbed to his wounds on December 21st, 1855.

The subject who shot him was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was executed by hanging on April 25th, 1856.

Marshal Cross was a veteran of the Palmetto Regiment of the Mexican-American War. He was survived by his parents.

Bio

Age 28
Tour Not available
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Friday, December 14, 1855
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Executed in 1856

disturbance

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Most Recent Reflection

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City Marshal Cross,
On today, the 170th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

December 21, 2025