Richmond Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch Wednesday, April 27, 1870
Add to My HeroesWilliam R. Cray
Officer William Cray died of injuries he sustained in the Virginia Capitol Disaster.
Officer Cray was a veteran of the Confederate Army prior to joining the Richmond Police Department.
On April 27th, 1870, a balcony collapsed inside of the Virginia State Capitol, killing 62 people, including 12 law enforcement officers.
Following the Civil War, the United States Army installed a mayor in Richmond. In January 1870 Virginia's governor appointed a new city council, which then appointed a new mayor. However, the previous mayor refused to cede the mayorship and the city operated with two mayors and governments, including two separate police departments.
The balcony collapse occurred during a Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals hearing to determine which of the city's two mayors and police departments was considered legitimate. Because of the interest in the case, hundreds of citizens crowded onto the balcony to view the case. The weight of the spectators caused the structure to give way, killing dozens of elected officials, law enforcement officers, and citizens, and injuring hundreds more.
Following what became known as the Capitol Disaster, the court reconvened and ultimately ruled that the newly appointed mayor was the legitimate mayor.
Bio
- Age 26
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Structure collapse
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsOfficer Cray,
On today, the 150th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your fellow Officers for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Richmond.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
April 27, 2020
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