Chief of Police William E. Brinkley
Suffolk Police Department
Virginia
End of Watch: Monday, December 2, 1918

Biographical Info
Age: 49
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, December 2, 1918
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available

Chief Brinkley was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man wanted in another state. Chief Brinkley had received a telegram notifying him that the escaped convict would be arriving at the Suffolk train station with illegal liquor. Chief Brinkley and another officer went to the station to arrest the man. They were standing in the station doorway when the suspect exited the train. The suspect saw the officers and immediately opened fire, striking Chief Brinkley in the abdomen. The suspect was shot and killed while exchanging shots with the other officer, who was taking cover behind a train wheel.

Chief Brinkley was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The other officer involved in the shootout, Patrolman Joseph S. Pratt, was shot and killed in the line of duty on October 20, 1935.

Chief Brinkley had been with the agency for 18 years.