Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 9, 1972
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 20 years, 5 months
Badge Number: 892
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 9, 1972
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 16 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Detective Douglas Alexander was shot and killed by one of two men while attempting to stop a robbery of a bar while off duty. In an exchange of gunfire, he was hit in the face with a shotgun blast. He shot one of the suspects in the hip. Both 29-year-old suspects were captured the next day.
Both suspects, heroin addicts with long criminal records, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life.
Detective Alexander was a U.S Army veteran and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 20-1/2 years.