Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman William Boyd died after he was kicked during a scuffle with two men who had been harassing girls at a carnival in the area of 22nd Street and Vine Street. The girls called police and Officer Boyd and two other officers responded. Two brothers fought the officers and kicked Officer Boyd in the ribs, causing him to suffer fatal internal injuries. The brothers were arrested and charged with murder. A coroner's jury exonerated the two boys stating because there was such a large crowd there was no direct evidence that they kicked Policeman Boyd.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-676B7084- Stewardship
- 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.
Policeman Boyd gave the Philadelphia Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Boyd.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman William John Boyd Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William John Boyd Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William John Boyd Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William John Boyd Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William John Boyd Jr. was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
