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Incident
Patrolman Hugh Williams was killed while setting off an aerial bomb during a practice air raid drill.
Patrolman Williams was lighting the fuse when it malfunctioned and exploded in his face. He passed away at 4:30 p.m. while being transported to Mary McClellan Hospital.
Patrolman Williams was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Granville Police Department for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, seven brothers, and four sisters.
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.
Patrolman Williams gave the Granville Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Granville community. Thank you 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
Hugh P. Williams served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Hugh is the only officer of Granville Police Department remembered here.
Hugh is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Hugh is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Hugh 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 1942, 8 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1942, 65 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1942, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Hugh was 46. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Hugh had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Hugh was 46. 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. Hugh had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hugh was 46. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Hugh had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.3% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.2%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Granville Police Department.
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.
Where
Military Service
Hugh P. Williams served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Hugh P. Williams’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Granville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.