William J Worrell was the commissioner of the Los Angeles Police Department. He is revealed to be one of the primary antagonists of LA Noire during Cole Phelps' time on the Arson Desk. He is also briefly mentioned in NY Noire.
Role In LA Noire[]
Though chief of police, Worrell was sadly corrupt and collaborated with Mayor Fletcher Bowron and District Attorney Donald Sandler by
Police Chief Worrell
investing in the Suburban Redevelopment Fund spearheaded by Leland Monroe. Though the fund claimed to be building homes for returning GI's... the real intent of the group was to defraud the US Government for millions of dollars. Worrell provided support to Monroe using his status as chief of police to help cover up Monroe's illegal activities.
Vice[]
Worrell attended a meeting with Sandler, Bowron, and Raymond Gordon Editor of The Times to discuss the LAPD Vice Scandal. The four of them worried that the story would bring down the administration. Thankfully for them a solution was offered up by Vice detective Roy Earle. He exposed the adultery of Cole Phelps to them and mentioned that they could use it to cover up the Vice scandal. Gordon published the story and the very next day Worrell interrupted Cole Phelps' interrogation of Dr Harlane Fontane and Courtney Sheldon. Ironically, Worrell's interruption of Phelps protects Fontane another member of the SRF from prison. Worrell proceeded to demote Phelps to the lowly Arson Desk while giving Earle a place in the SRF.
Arson[]
Now working Arson, Phelps began connecting some house fires to Elysian Fields Developments. He and partner Herschel Biggs questioned Leland Monroe about it angering Worrell who dispatched Earle to threaten Phelps into submission. Earle failed in threatening Phelps who was still determined to expose the SRF and Worrell's connection to it. With the help of Jack Kelso, Phelps and Biggs were able to uncover the true intent of the SRF as well as Worrell's connection it with his name appearing on Leland Monroe's payroll as well as on the board of directors for the SRF at the Hall of Records. When Kelso went to the LA River Tunnels, Worrell put out a manhunt on Kelso and sent the entire LAPD after him and Phelps. Worrell arrived at the tunnels and questioned Assistant DA Leonard Petersen over his partnership with Kelso and Phelps. Petersen warned Worrell that the duo's findings go all the way up to the top and may include Worrell. Worrell accepts Petersen's offer by sending his corrupt goons into the tunnels after Phelps and Kelso. Though Phelps and Kelso were able to expose the SRF, Worrell was protected from prison along with Bowron and Earle thanks to his deal with Petersen. He attended Phelps' funeral and sat there confidently as Earle delivered the eulogy knowing that his position was secure.
NY Noire[]
It is revealed in NY Noire that Worrell continued to serve as chief of police for another two years after Phelps' death and the SRF's exposure. He eventually retired from the force in 1949 and currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and grandkids. He is deemed a hero by the public with only Kelso and Biggs as well as Earle knowing the truth about Worrell's corruption. He was replaced as chief of police by James Parker.