Police Officer James Williams Jr.
Oakland Police Department
California
End of Watch: Sunday, January 10, 1999

Biographical Info
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 2 months, 1 week
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, January 10, 1999
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Officer Williams was shot and killed by a sniper while he was searching for a gun. He and another officer were searching a portion of highway where two suspects tossed a shotgun out of their window during an earlier police chase. During the search a sniper on an overpass opened fire on both officers with a high powered rifle. Officer Williams was struck in the chest, with the round penetrating his vest. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The other officer was shot but the round was stopped by his handcuff case. The sniper was a friend of the original suspects and decided to shoot at the officers in order to allow the suspects to escape. The suspect was arrested and plead guilty to second degree murder towards the end of his capital murder trial in order to avoid the death penalty. He was sentenced to life without parole.

Officer Williams had only been with the agency for ten weeks and is survived by his wife, two sons, and one daughter.