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Policeman

William J. Henderson

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch March 3, 1932

Age 32

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Badge 2905

The Vigil Panel 141 · Column 3 · Line 8 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 378

Incident

Policeman William Henderson was fatally wounded when he was shot while investigating a suspicious vehicle. He saw the vehicle idling in front of a drug store on 54th Street and noticed a man sitting inside. As Policeman Henderson walked to a nearby call box, the man in the car shot him in the back. Policeman Henderson was transported to Philadelphia General Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds five days later. No one was ever charged with Policeman Henderson's murder, but it is believed that four burglars were responsible for his murder. The four suspects were charged with the murder of Policeman David Wiley, who was shot and killed one month after Policeman Henderson. Policeman Henderson was a U.S Army veteran and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 12 years, assigned to the 65th Street and Woodland Avenue Station.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and parents.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Policeman Henderson gave the Philadelphia Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 3, 1932

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Age 32

Badge Number 2905

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Military Service

William J. Henderson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

William was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded