Hollywood Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, August 30, 1973
Age: 25
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 002
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: August 30, 1973
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Never apprehended
Officer Byron Riley and Officer Phillip Yourman were killed in an automobile crash while pursuing a purse snatcher.
The two officers were in an unmarked unit when they observed the crime. As they chased the suspect vehicle into a residential area the patrol car went out of control and struck a palm tree as they made a U-turn on Hollywood Boulevard at 57th Avenue. Both officers suffered fatal injuries in the crash. The suspect they were chasing was never apprehended.
Officer Riley was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Hollywood Police Department for three years. He was survived by his expectant wife.