Incident
Patrolman William Daywalt was shot and killed while trying to arrest two men who had just shot a woman in the foot Patrolman Daywalt and the Waynesboro police chief ordered two brothers to leave town after they had caused a disturbance. They followed the brothers to make sure they left town. One of the brothers opened fire on them and hit a young woman in the foot. Both of the officers pursued the brothers into a field east of town. Patrolman Daywalt was fatally shot in the field. The shooter was later shot and killed by a Pennsylvania state trooper while he ran away from the trooper.
Survivors
Patrolman Daywalt was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-D4B3C3AE- 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.
Patrolman Daywalt gave the Waynesboro Borough Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waynesboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Daywalt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Daywalt 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 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 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Waynesboro Borough Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Daywalt's cause is highlighted.
How William Daywalt Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Daywalt is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Daywalt was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Waynesboro Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
