William W. Latimer

United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons — Washington, DC

Felonious

End of Watch October 15, 1960

Age 48

The Vigil Panel 95 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 33

Incident

Correctional Officer William Latimer succumbed to injuries sustained one month earlier when he was assaulted by three juvenile inmates at the National Training School for Boys in Washington, DC. The first of the three boys approached Officer Latimer, who was seated at his desk in the dormitory, and asked to use the bathroom. A second boy then approached and asked the same question. When Officer Latimer turned his back to unlock the bathroom the door the suspect grabbed a cast iron desk lamp off of his desk and struck him over the head. The third boy then held Officer Latimer on the ground as the three severely beat him. The three boys then grabbed Officer Latimer's keys and fled. Several inmates who heard the commotion chased the three juveniles and helped other guards subdue them.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FED-0E418314
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Latimer served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Latimer.

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

Agency

Department United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons

Location Washington, DC

Platform Identity usdjfbpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 15, 1960

Age 48

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Blunt object

Offender Cause: Assault

Correctional Officer William W. Latimer 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons, 26 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.5% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons

of 34 officers

76.5% Felonious

DC — Statewide

754

of 1,419 officers

53.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious