Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer William Linder succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was attacked by two men near the intersection of 22nd Street and Race Street.
Officer Linder witnessed two men preparing to fight and attempted to separate them. As he did so both men turned on Policeman Linder, knocked him down, struck him with their hands and feet causing a fractured skull and other serious injuries. Policeman Linder managed to arrest one of the subjects and walked him to the police station before going to Hahnemann Hospital to be treated. Officer Linder was recovering well from his injuries when he suffered a relapse and died as a result of complications.
Both suspects were charged with murder after Officer Linder's death and remained in jail until the trial. In November 1896 both suspects pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter and both received six-month sentences.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-DA4B9DE8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Linder served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William Linder 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 Linder's cause is highlighted.
How William Linder Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Linder is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Linder was killed by person; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
