Roll of Honor

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Police Officer

William Henry Powell Jr.

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch November 19, 1960

Age 30

Tour of Duty 2 yrs 1 mo

Badge 5169

The Vigil Panel 96 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 377

Incident

Officer Powell was shot and killed during an undercover investigation inside a home in 400 block of North Marshall Street. While inside the home a struggle ensued and the subject gained control of Officer Howell`s gun. The subject then placed Officer Powell`s body inside his vehicle a couple blocks away where it was later found. The suspect who shot him was originally sentenced to death. The sentenced was reduced to life in prison and he was eventually in paroled in 1981. His parole was later revoked and he was returned to prison. Officer Powell was a U.S Navy veteran of the Korean war and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-80BDDA74
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Powell gave the Philadelphia Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 19, 1960

Tour of Duty 2 yrs 1 mo

Age 30

Badge Number 5169

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Military Service

William Henry Powell Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Police Officer William Henry Powell 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 97,759 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.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious