Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Friday, March 5, 1909
Age: 53
Tour of Duty: 23 years
Badge Number: CAPTAIN
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 5, 1909
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Captain William Mathews was shot and killed by one of his officers while reprimanding him.
The officer was called to Captain Mathews' office at the Fifth Precinct Station, on the 200 block of South Carolina Avenue, SE, to be reprimanded for not reporting to Reserve Duty. A struggle ensued and Captain Mathews was shot by the officer. The officer was arrested at the scene.
Captain Mathews was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 23 years. He was survived by his wife and child. He is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Washington, DC.