Long Beach Police Department, California
End of Watch: Saturday, August 26, 1967
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 26, 1967
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Patrolman William Isham and Patrolman Donald Knott were shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call at 182 Quincy Avenue in Long Beach.
The neighbors called the police when a man would not stop beating his common-law wife shortly before 3:00 a.m. Patrolman Knott and Patrolman Isham arrived at the apartment and subdued the angry subject. When the woman went inside to grab her purse, the officers accompanied her inside. The subject followed her into the bedroom, where he shot her in the thigh. The subject then fired at the officers. Both officers managed to return fire, hitting the suspect eight times. Both officers were shot in the chest and pronounced dead upon arrival at Long Beach Community Hospital.
The suspect died seven weeks later at Los Angeles General Hospital.
Patrolman Isham had served with the Long Beach Police Department for two years. He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter. His second daughter was born a few weeks later.