Delaware State Police, Delaware
End of Watch: Monday, August 8, 1955
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: August 8, 1955
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 1 year
Trooper William Mayer was struck and killed by the driver of a tractor trailer while conducting a traffic stop on the DuPont Parkway near Smyrna, Delaware.
The driver of the tractor trailer had been drinking and fell asleep at the wheel before striking Trooper Mayer. The 26-year-old driver of the tractor trailer was charged with manslaughter and an unrelated grand larceny charge. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to one year in jail and had his license revoked. Less than a year later he was in a one-car accident and was charged with driving with a revoked license.
Trooper Mayer was a US Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Delaware State Police for 7 years. He was survived by his wife, brother, and three sisters.