Detective William J. Hanson
Central Railroad of New Jersey Police Department
Railroad Police
End of Watch: Friday, July 4, 1902

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Struck by train
Date of Incident: Friday, July 4, 1902
Incident Location: New Jersey
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available

Detective Hanson and Patrolman John Cosgrove were struck and killed by a train while patrolling the Jersey Central lines near the Communipaw Avenue Station in Jersey City, New Jersey. The two officers, and a friend who sometimes accompanied them on patrol, were searching for a gang of thieves.

It is believed they saw a train coming on one track and stepped onto another track to get out of its way. They failed to see a train coming on the second track as well and all three were struck and killed. Their bodies were found a short time later by a train engineer on another train.

Related Line of Duty Deaths

Patrolman John Cosgrove Central Railroad of New Jersey Police D..., RR EOW: Friday, July 4, 1902 Cause of Death: Struck by train