Prev
Incident
Night Watchman William Daniels was killed when a large piece of ice fell on him while he was investigating a possible burglary in progress in a town store.
Night Watchman Daniels was on his regular patrol route when he heard noise from the rear of a store in town. Thinking there might be a burglary in progress, Night Watchman Daniels went to the rear of the building, with his revolver drawn, to check. Unknown to Night Watchman Daniels, the noise he had heard was the sound of large icicles falling from the roof of the building. While inspecting the rear of the building, a large piece of ice fell from the roof and struck Night Watchman Daniels on the head, killing him.
Night Watchmen Daniels was a United States Army veteran.
Night Watchman Daniels was on his regular patrol route when he heard noise from the rear of a store in town. Thinking there might be a burglary in progress, Night Watchman Daniels went to the rear of the building, with his revolver drawn, to check. Unknown to Night Watchman Daniels, the noise he had heard was the sound of large icicles falling from the roof of the building. While inspecting the rear of the building, a large piece of ice fell from the roof and struck Night Watchman Daniels on the head, killing him.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpxj012epkvryx6d97p8- 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 William. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. William 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.
Night Watchman Daniels served with the Cassopolis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cassopolis 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
William A. Daniels served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
William is the only officer of Cassopolis Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 224 officers lost to accidents in MI, 31.9% of the 703 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 1903, 2 officers in MI were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 8.
In 1903, 12 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 133rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1903, 22 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 129th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 25. Of the 212 lost to accidents in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 34.
William 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.
William 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.
When
January holds 6.3% of these deaths in MI; August holds the most, 14.3%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cassopolis Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 703 deaths in MI, 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.
Military Service
William A. Daniels served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit William A. Daniels’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 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Cassopolis Police Department are honored on badge.nw.