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Willie L Stephenson
Incident
Patrolman Willie Stephenson drowned during a rescue attempt at Orchard Beach while off duty. He observed a female drowning and dove into the water from his boat. Patrolman Stephenson was able to save the drowning woman by handing her to another off-duty officer, but he went underwater and did not resurface. His body was located several hours later. Patrolman Stephenson was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the New York City Housing Authority Police Department for one year. He was survived by his expectant wife and son. His daughter was born 23 days after his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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. One record, 2 gates. Willie 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.
Patrolman Stephenson gave the New York City Housing Authority Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the New York 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
Willie L Stephenson served in the U.S. Army (1959â1962) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has lost 19 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Willie is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Willie is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Willie 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 1966, 8 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1966, 95 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Willie was 25. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Willie had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Willie 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. Willie had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willie 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. Willie had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 16.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 21.1% of all 19 deaths at New York City Housing Authority Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
New York City Housing Authority Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Willie among them.
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Philip Schultz
Oct 9, 1965
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Willie L Stephenson
Jul 3, 1966
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Robert Harris
Dec 20, 1967
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Arthur Pelo
Sep 25, 1971
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Harold L. Marshall
Dec 7, 1971
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Carson Terry
Dec 20, 1971
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Vito A. Chiaramonte
Sep 26, 1977
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James O. Washington
May 29, 1978
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Ted W. Donald
Jun 15, 1979
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James T. Dunston
Nov 20, 1980
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Jan Hendrik Brinkers
May 4, 1981
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James G. Carragher
Feb 11, 1982
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James Holmes
Mar 23, 1986
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Anthony Oswald McLean
Apr 13, 1988
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Gary L. Peaco
Jun 16, 1988
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Paul Heidelberger
Jul 18, 1992
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Rudolph P. Thomas, Jr.
Jul 4, 1993
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John Williamson
Oct 8, 1993
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Alfred T. Boesch
Jan 21, 1995
Where
Military Service
Willie L Stephenson served in the U.S. Army (1959–1962) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Willie L Stephenson’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 31-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from New York City Housing Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
