Incident
Killed alongside Sergeant John Staff Hasker of the River Wear Police when a roof collapsed on them while they were fighting a fire.
In Our Keeping
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neuraspine_01krbxtqse8qe3jswhc556seq6- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Fireman Dryden served with the Sunderland Borough Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Sunderland Borough Police has lost 10 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 1,335 officers lost to accidents in ENG, 47.9% of the 2,786 remembered there.
William is one of 1,673 officers lost to accidents in United Kingdom, 44.1% of the 3,791 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 1895, 3 officers in ENG were lost to accidents, the 142nd heaviest of 193 years on record. The heaviest was 1940, with 35.
In 1895, 4 officers in United Kingdom were lost to accidents, the 143rd heaviest of 194 years on record. The heaviest was 1940, with 40.
In 1895, 19 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 135th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 37. Of the 1,310 lost to accidents in ENG whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 35.
William was 37. Of the 1,612 lost to accidents in United Kingdom whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 43; the middle age was 35.
William was 37. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
November holds 9.5% of these deaths in ENG; January holds the most, 10.7%. Mondays: 13.6%.
November holds 9.9% of these deaths in United Kingdom, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 10 deaths at Sunderland Borough Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 47.9% of all 2,786 deaths in ENG, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 44.1% of all 3,791 deaths in United Kingdom, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Sunderland Borough Police has 10 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Edward Gray Mar 10, 1854
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John Dempster Eaton Sep 25, 1894
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William Dryden Nov 4, 1895
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William Best Feb 22, 1902
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Thomas Shepherd Dale Apr 1, 1916
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Joseph Towers May 20, 1940
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Ernest James Taylor Oct 30, 1942
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Lancelot Cummings Slawther May 16, 1943
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Thomas Edward Eves May 24, 1943
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Raymond Abbs May 11, 1952
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Sunderland Borough Police are honored on badge.nw.