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Incident
Watchmen William Pullan was beaten to death by suspects he and another Watchman were attempting to arrest for creating a disturbance. Watchman Pullan and his partner were walking their regular beat on Broad Street, in Providence, at approximately midnight when they heard the sound of people kicking over barrels and boxes. When they arrived at the source of the sound, they observed two men kicking over a barrel. Watchman Pullan's partner took one suspect into custody, but the second suspect fled.
As Watchman Pullan and his partner were walking with the one suspect, they observed that four men had surrounded an off-duty Watchman. Watchman Pullan and his partner ran over to help and were able to take three of the men into custody. As they were walking with them, another man attacked them with a club, striking Watchman Pullan several times in the head. When Watchman Pullan fell to the ground, he was beaten by the four suspects. Watchman Pullan's partner was also struck by the suspect, but he and the off-duty Watchman were able to frighten off the suspects.
Watchman Pullan was taken to his home and a doctor was summoned. The doctor was unable to treat Watchman Pullan and he died of his wounds at approximately 10:00 am.
Watchman Pullan was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Watchman Pullan was survived by his wife and six children.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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174 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman Pullan served with the Providence City Watch.
Thank you for your service to the Providence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Providence City Watch remembered here.
William is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in RI, 45.5% of the 55 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 1852, 1 officer in RI was killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 18 years on record. The heaviest was 1958, with 3.
In 1852, 10 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 171st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1852, 10 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 179th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 52. Of the 25 killed feloniously in RI whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 40.
William was 52. 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 was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 12% of these deaths in RI; June holds the most, 24%. Tuesdays: 16%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Providence City Watch. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 55 deaths in RI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 4% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
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