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Incident
Patrolman William Craig contracted influenza while performing his assigned duties during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918.
The Wilmington Police Department had been tasked with enforcing local health laws to help prevent the spread of influenza, as well as performing their regular police duties.
Patrolman Craig had served with the Wilmington Police Department for 15 years.
Effects of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic on Law EnforcementAlso known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe," the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 to early 1920, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. The effect of the influenza epidemic in the United States was so dire that the average life span in the U.S. fell by twelve years. The four waves of the flu began in March 1918 and ended in April 1920. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job. The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Influenza Pandemic will likely never be known. Still, ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission never to forget the fallen. Please click here to view ODMP's Influenza memorial, listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.
Also known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe," the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 to early 1920, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. The effect of the influenza epidemic in the United States was so dire that the average life span in the U.S. fell by twelve years. The four waves of the flu began in March 1918 and ended in April 1920. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job.
The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Influenza Pandemic will likely never be known. Still, ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission never to forget the fallen.
Please click here to view ODMP's Influenza memorial, listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.
Effects of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic on Law Enforcement
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Craig gave the Wilmington Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Craig.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Wilmington Police Department has lost 12 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
William is one of 37 officers lost to illness in NC, 5.6% of the 664 remembered there.
William is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 2 officers in NC were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 19.
In 1918, 226 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1918, 235 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
William was 41. Of the 37 lost to illness in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 57; the middle age was 50. William had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
William was 41. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. William had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
William was 41. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. William had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
September holds 18.9% of these deaths in NC; October holds the most, 29.7%. Mondays: 27%.
September holds 11.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Mondays: 14.2%.
September holds 9.8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 16.7% of all 12 deaths at Wilmington Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 5.6% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Wilmington Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Thomas DeVane, V Aug 5, 1865
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William Freeman Craig
Sep 23, 1918
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Robert Stacy Toler Oct 7, 1918
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Leon George
Jul 29, 1924
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Adrian Darsey Newton
Jul 18, 1936
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Roy J. Carney
Apr 1, 1937
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David Hall
Nov 7, 1949
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William C. Jordan
Jun 10, 1950
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Clarence A. Davis
Jun 24, 1971
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James William Nunalee, Sr.
Apr 4, 1978
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Christopher Fitzgerald Williams
Jun 16, 2006
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Richard John Matthews
Feb 18, 2009
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-ET
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
