Detective Sergeant William Kenneth Mortimer

William Kenneth Mortimer

Detective Sergeant Mortimer was shot and killed at 1175 Staley Avenue while attempting to arrest suspects who had just robbed a jewelry store and shot another man.

He was en route to the police academy when he responded for a call of assistance at an apartment complex where the two suspects were located. While on the scene he observed two young girls looking out of a door at all of the police activity. Sergeant Mortimer immediately ran to the girls and pushed them inside the door for their own safety. Just as he did this one of the suspects came out of his apartment, saw Sergeant Mortimer, and shot him in the face with a .357 caliber handgun.

Both suspects were apprehended and charged with capital murder. Both of them were convicted of a lesser charge of purposeful murder.

Sergeant Mortimer had served with the Dayton Police Department for 22 years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.

Sergeant Mortimer's brother, Sergeant Paul Mortimer, died in the line of duty four years earlier while also serving with the Dayton Police Department.