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Incident
Officer Byron Riley and Officer Phillip Yourman were killed in an automobile crash while pursuing a purse snatcher. The two officers were in an unmarked unit when they observed the crime. As they chased the suspect vehicle into a residential area the patrol car went out of control and struck a palm tree as they made a U-turn on Hollywood Boulevard at 57th Avenue. Both officers suffered fatal injuries in the crash. The suspect they were chasing was never apprehended. Officer Riley was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Hollywood Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Byron 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.
Officer Riley gave the Hollywood Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hollywood 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Byron William Riley served in the the United States military (1967â1970) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Hollywood Police Department has lost 8 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Byron is one of 315 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.3% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Byron is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Byron is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 4 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1973, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1973, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Byron was 25. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Byron had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Byron was 25. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Byron had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Byron was 25. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Byron had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Thursdays: 11.7%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Hollywood Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 31.3% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Hollywood Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Byron among them.
Where
Military Service
Byron William Riley served in the U.S. Army (1967–1970) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Byron William Riley’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Hollywood Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
