Incident
Officer William Street was killed when he was struck in the head with an axe as he investigated a disturbance at a home near the city's fairgrounds at Holmes Avenue and Pulaski Pike. When he arrived at the home he found it to be occupied by a single man. As he began to leave another man, who had been hidden in a closet, came up from behind and struck him on the head with the axe. The killer was taken from jail by an angry mob of citizens and lynched. Officer Street was a Confederate Civil War Veteran who served in Russell's 4th Alabama Calvary as a private.
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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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 Street gave the Huntsville Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville 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
William J. Street served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Huntsville Police Department has lost 13 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1883, 1 officer at Huntsville Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1883, 1 officer in AL was killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1883, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1883, 46 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 146th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 42. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Huntsville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 39; the middle age was 36. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
William was 42. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 42. 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 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 14.3% of these deaths at Huntsville Police Department; December holds the most, 28.6%. Mondays: 28.6%.
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Mondays: 13.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 53.8% of all 13 deaths at Huntsville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Huntsville Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William J. Street Oct 8, 1883
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Frank McKissack
May 26, 1916
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Ewell B. Starr
Dec 5, 1953
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Alan S. Logel, Jr.
Nov 19, 1956
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Charles E. Drake, Jr.
Jul 23, 1962
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Preston R. Butler
Jun 3, 1966
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William T. Gaskin
Aug 27, 1968
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Billy Fred Clardy, Jr.
May 3, 1978
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Daniel Howard Golden
Aug 29, 2005
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William Eric Freeman
Dec 15, 2007
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Keith O'Neal Earle
Apr 9, 2018
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Billy Fred Clardy, III
Dec 6, 2019
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Garrett Crumby
Mar 28, 2023
Where
Military Service
William J. Street served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William J. Street’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 20-E
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Huntsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.











