Harry E. S. Williams
Agency patch
Police Officer

Harry E. S. Williams

Seattle Police Department — Seattle, WA
Felonious
End of Watch August 2, 1931
Age 34
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 62 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Harry Williams was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress at a hotel at 1607 1st Avenue. When Officer Williams approached the two suspects, a running gun battle ensued. During the exchange of shots, Officer Williams's gun jammed and he was shot and killed. The suspects were arrested. Both suspects said they did not know Officer Williams was an officer because he was in plain clothes. Both were tried and acquitted. Officer Williams had served with the Seattle Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-05C5B6DD
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Williams gave the Seattle Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Williams.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Seattle, WA
Platform Identity seatpd.king.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 2, 1931
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Acquitted

Police Officer Harry E. S. Williams is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Seattle Police Department, 44 of 60 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.3% of this agency's fallen.

Seattle Police Department
44
of 60 officers
73.3% Felonious
WA — Statewide
187
of 339 officers
55.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry E. S. Williams's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Harry E. S. Williams Compares

Age at End of Watch
34
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry E. S. Williams is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry E. S. Williams was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location