West Palm Beach Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Saturday, February 9, 1924
Add to My HeroesWilliam Morgan Payton
Patrolman William Payton was shot and killed with his own gun by a man while investigating a domestic disturbance at a residence near the intersection of 3rd Street and Division Street.
As he entered the home the man attacked and disarmed him. The man then shot him in the head. Several bystanders took Officer Payton to Good Samaritan Hospital where he died.
The man who shot him fled but was arrestd by a posse. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. The Florida Supreme Court granted him a new trial resulting in a conviction of manslaughter with a 15 year sentence. He was given a conditional pardon on July 3, 1933.
Officer Payton was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the West Palm Beach Police Department for 14 months. He is survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 1 year, 4 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Pardoned in 1933
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsPatrolman Payton,
On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during World War I.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Reťired)
February 9, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Brandon Sikes
Columbia County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesse Perez
Dawson County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 22, 2025

Captain Helio Armando Garcia, III
South Fulton Police Department, GA
EOW: April 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard
Wood County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 9, 2025

Deputy Sheriff William May
Walton County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 2, 2025

Police Officer Osmar Rodarte
Marysville Police Department, CA
EOW: March 26, 2025

Sergeant Grant J. Candies
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: March 23, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Hector Cuevas, Jr.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: March 17, 2025

Sergeant Joseph Anthony Azcona
Newark Police Division, NJ
EOW: March 8, 2025