Detective George L. Williams, Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania

Detective George L. Williams

Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch Wednesday, January 9, 1918

George L. Williams

Detective George Williams was shot and killed in a gun battle with five men at 16th Street and South Street. Detective Williams, the city’s only black detective, came upon a fracas in a bar and was trying to arrest the men when one opened fire on him.

Detective Williams had been a star of the Cuban Giants of the Negro Baseball League. He was the first black officer killed in the line of duty.

The principal killer in this case, a 22-year-year old male was executed for the crime on November 1st, 1920.

Detective Williams had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 25 years. He was survived by his wife and five children.

Bio

Age 44
Tour 25 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Executed

Most Recent Reflection

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Detective George Wilson is hereby remembered and honored on the 100th anniversary of his death. His assailant is long since forgotten. May the descendants of Detective Wilson remember him for the man he was.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

January 9, 2018