Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain William Mathews was shot and killed by one of his officers while reprimanding him. The officer was called to Captain Mathews' office at the Fifth Precinct Station, on the 200 block of South Carolina Avenue, SE, to be reprimanded for not reporting to Reserve Duty. A struggle ensued and Captain Mathews was shot by the officer. The officer was arrested at the scene. Captain Mathews was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 23 years. He was survived by his wife and child. He is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Washington, DC.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-9D347785- 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 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.
Captain Mathews gave the Metropolitan Police Department 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William H. Mathews served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Captain William H. Mathews 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 Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William H. Mathews's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Mathews Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Mathews is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Mathews was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
130 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
