West Palm Beach Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Saturday, February 9, 1924
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 4 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 9, 1924
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Pardoned in 1933
Patrolman William Payton was shot and killed with his own gun by a man while investigating a domestic disturbance at a residence near the intersection of 3rd Street and Division Street.
As he entered the home the man attacked and disarmed him. The man then shot him in the head. Several bystanders took Officer Payton to Good Samaritan Hospital where he died.
The man who shot him fled but was arrestd by a posse. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. The Florida Supreme Court granted him a new trial resulting in a conviction of manslaughter with a 15 year sentence. He was given a conditional pardon on July 3, 1933.
Officer Payton was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the West Palm Beach Police Department for 14 months. He is survived by his wife.