Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Friday, December 18, 1936
Add to My HeroesWilliam John Gormley
Police Officer William Gormley suffered a fatal heart attack moments after subduing an emotionally disturbed person who had set himself on fire and jumped off of a 20-foot high roof.
He had responded to a home near Front Street and Poplar Street in reference to a suspicious person who had been running up and down the stairs causing a disturbance. The man went onto the rooftop and refused to come down as officers arrived.
The fire department was brought to the scene and setup a net below the man, who was threatening to light himself on fire. The man eventually lit himself on fire and then jumped from the roof, injuring one of the firemen. Officer Gormley struggled with the subject briefly before subduing him. He handed the prisoner over to another officer and then collapsed. He was taken to Saint Mary's Hospital where he passed away.
Officer Gormley was assigned to the 3rd Street and Fairmount Avenue Station.
Bio
- Age 38
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Heart attack
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsRest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
August 13, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Detective William Osborn
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: July 18, 2025

Detective Victor Lemus
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: July 18, 2025

Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: July 18, 2025

Parole Agent Joshua Lemont Byrd
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CA
EOW: July 17, 2025

Sergeant Alton Dale Berrian
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Antonio Aleman
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: July 8, 2025

Officer Miguel Cano
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: July 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Devin Mason
Darlington County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: July 1, 2025

Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: June 30, 2025