The Officer Down Memorial Page Remembers . . .
 
Photograph: Detective Sergeant William Kenneth Mortimer

Patch image: Dayton Police Department, Ohio






Detective Sergeant William Kenneth Mortimer
Dayton Police Department
Ohio

End of Watch: Monday, March 4, 1974

Biographical Info
Age: 44
Tour of Duty: 22 years
Badge Number: 15

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Monday, March 4, 1974
Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber
Suspect Info: Not available

Sergeant Mortimer was shot and killed while attempting to arrest suspects who had just robbed a jewelry store and shot another man.

He was en route to the police academy when he responded for a call of assistance at an apartment complex where the two suspects were located. While on the scene he observed two young girls looking out of a door at all of the police activity. Sergeant Mortimer immediately ran to the girls and pushed them inside the door for their own safety. Just as he did this one of the suspects came out of his apartment, saw Sergeant Mortimer, and shot him in the face with a .357 caliber handgun.

Both suspects were apprehended and charged with capital murder. Both of them were convicted of a lesser charge of purposeful murder.

Sergeant Mortimer's brother, Sergeant Paul Mortimer, died in the line of duty 4 years earlier while also serving with the Dayton Police Department.

Sergeant Mortimer had served with the agency for 22 years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.

Related Line of Duty Deaths
Patch image: Dayton Police Department, OhioSergeant Paul E. Mortimer
Dayton Police Department, OH
EOW: Friday, July 31, 1970
Cause of Death: Duty related illness

» Update this memorial» List all officers from this agency
» Printer friendly view» Officer down news
Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Contact Us
Copyright © 1996-2009, The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc.Back to ODMP Homepage