Prev Next

Patrolman

Anthony Wayne Williams

Tampa Police Department — Tampa, FL

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch November 3, 1975

Age 27

The Vigil Panel 254 · Column 4 · Line 12 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 28

Incident

Patrolman Anthony Williams was shot and killed while off duty when he interrupted an armed robbery at a convenience store at the intersection of West Hillsborough Avenue and Hesperides Street in Tampa. A reserve deputy from a neighboring agency was in the back room, waiting to make an arrest attempt. The reserve deputy hid in the back room when he noticed a robbery was going to happen. At the same time, Patrolman Williams, who was off duty, arrived at the scene with his wife, also a Tampa police officer and who was still in uniform, after getting off duty. As she stayed in the car with their 4-year-old son, Patrolman Williams attempted to enter the store when he saw the robbery taking place. He yelled to his wife to toss him her service revolver. As he retrieved the revolver, the gunman stepped out and shot him. As the gunman ran, Officer Williams' wife retrieved her revolver and shot him in the buttocks. The reserve deputy shot and killed a second suspect as he ran out the door and then took custody of the third suspect. Both suspects were charged with murder and robbery. The 22-year-old gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1991 his sentence was commuted to life. As of November 22nd, 2020, he was still in prison. The third suspect was sentenced to life. Patrolman Williams was a Vietnam War Veteran.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: neuraspine_01krbxtnfcbyew0fz3cs1xbb6g
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Anthony. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Anthony is one person.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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 Williams served with the Tampa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tampa 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 Tampa Police Department

Type Other

Location Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL

Platform Identity tpd.hillsborough.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 3, 1975

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Military Service

Anthony Wayne Williams served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Anthony 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 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Anthony was 27. 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.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

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