Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer William Lackman was shot and killed by a suspect while investigating a burglary call at a doctor's home at Welsh and Verree Roads. The 31-year-old killer was shot and killed by other Officers at the scene. Two additional suspects, 22 and 24, were later arrested and charged with murder and sentenced to life. The killer was out of jail under a $15,000 bond for the murder of a man he caught in bed with his wife. Several days later, a fourth 26-year-old man who masterminded the burglary was arrested and charged with accessory to murder before and after the fact. He knew that the doctor had a collection of rare coins worth more than $50,000 in his home. He was convicted of the charges and sentenced to life on March 17, 1970. That same day the body of a man was found in a trash dump across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Police said the man had been shot in the head and had been there for two weeks. The man, who knew the mastermind of the incident very well, was believed to have given the prosecution information that led to his conviction. Officer Lackman served with the Philadelphia Police Department in the 7th Police District for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and a son who was born after Officer Lackman's death.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-476C803F- 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.
Police Officer Lackman gave the Philadelphia Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lackman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William Albert Lackman 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 Albert Lackman's cause is highlighted.
How William Albert Lackman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Albert Lackman is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Albert Lackman was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
