Police Officer William J. Perry
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department
New York
End of Watch: Monday, December 22, 1980

Biographical Info
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 1367

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, December 22, 1980
Incident Location: New Jersey
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Paroled in 2003

Officer William Perry was and killed by a suspect he had asked to not to smoke a cigarette on a PATH train. Officer Perry, who was working in plain cloths, asked the suspect to put out his cigarette. The suspect refused, and at the next stop Officer Perry attempted to eject the suspect from the train at the Journal Square station in Jersey City, New Jersey. A struggle ensued and the suspect drew a handgun from his coat and shot and killed Office Perry. The suspect then fled the train station and stole a car. He was apprehended ten days later in Atlanta, Georgia. It was later determined that the suspect was wanted in Jersey City for several shootings.

The suspect was sentenced to 44 years in prison, but was released in June 2003 after serving only 22 years.

Officer Perry and been with the agency for four years and was survived by his wife and two young children.