Pittsburgh Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Wednesday, March 3, 1971
Add to My HeroesWilliam J. Otis
Patrolman William Otis was killed by a gunshot while he and his partner responded to a burglary in progress call at a home on Centre Avenue in Oakland. The owner of the residence, thinking Officer Otis was the burglar, shot him as he entered a hallway.
Patrolman Otis was taken to University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Hospital where he died within the hour.
Patrolman Otis had served with the Pittsburgh Police Department for 13 months and was a member of the Army Reserves where he served in the Vietnam War. He was survived by his wife, two year old son, and parents, and sister.
Bio
- Age 23
- Tour 1 year, 1 month
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .32 caliber
- Offender No charges filed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 17 ReflectionsIt's been 44 years since your passing and I've carried it with me all these years never forgetting our talks and the circumstances that surrounded that fatal day. God Bless you Brother Bill and thank you for your sacrifice.
Eddie Wirkowski
Retired Pgh. Police Off. and personel friend
March 22, 2015
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Paul Rutherford
Phoenix Police Department, AZ
EOW: March 21, 2019
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Thompson
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office, WA
EOW: March 19, 2019
Corporal Daniel H. Groves
Colorado State Patrol, CO
EOW: March 13, 2019
Deputy Sheriff Jacob Howard Keltner
McHenry County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: March 7, 2019
Police Officer Nathan Hayden Heidelberg
Midland Police Department, TX
EOW: March 5, 2019
Sergeant Steve Hinkle
Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: February 26, 2019
Police Officer Nicholas Scott Galinger
Chattanooga Police Department, TN
EOW: February 24, 2019
Undersheriff Monty Thomas Johnson
Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: February 21, 2019
Lieutenant Daniel Duane Hinton
Florida Highway Patrol, FL
EOW: February 19, 2019