New Miami Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch Tuesday, January 17, 1939
Add to My HeroesWilliam Simpson
Marshal William Simpson was shot and later died after he and a deputy marshal interrupted three young men and one juvenile attempting to rob the Spradling Cafe on U.S. Route 127 in the early morning on Jan. 13, 1939.
All four suspects, including the one who shot Marshal Simpson, were apprehended.
Marshal Simpson died from his injuries days later at 6 a.m. on Jan. 17.
The young man who shot him was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 21, 1960. Two others were convicted of second-degree murder. Both were paroled in 1954. The fourth suspect served five years at the Ohio Boy's Industrial School.
Marshal Simpson had served with the New Miami Police Department and St. Clair Township for 20 years. He also served as mayor of New Miami Village for a brief time.
Marshal Simpson, a widower, was survived by his seven daughters, three sisters, two brothers, and ten grandchildren. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton, Ohio.
Bio
- Age 64
- Tour 20 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Friday, January 13, 1939
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Paroled in 1960
Most Recent Reflection
View all 12 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Marshal William Simpson of the New Miami Police Department, Ohio and the additional 73 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation
January 17, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Master Police Officer Christine Peters
Greenbelt Police Department, MD
EOW: January 14, 2021

Conservation Officer Steven Reighard
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, IA
EOW: January 8, 2021

Police Officer Melton "Fox" Gore
Horry County Police Department, SC
EOW: January 12, 2021

Sergeant Frederick H. "Butch" Cameron
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, VA
EOW: January 12, 2021

Officer Troy Allen Adkins
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: December 31, 2020

Unit Team Supervisor Gabe Morales
Kansas Department of Corrections, KS
EOW: December 22, 2020

Lieutenant William Lyle Gardner
Denver City Police Department, TX
EOW: January 7, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Jane Alice Ash
Effingham County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: December 16, 2020

Sergeant Randall Sims
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: January 3, 2021