Roll of Honor
William Steven Mathews
Incident
Patrolman William Mathews was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a drunk driver that he was attempting to stop on I-95 near PGA Boulevard. He had driven alongside the vehicle in an attempt to motion the driver to pull over, but the driver swerved into his lane and struck his motorcycle. His motorcycle then left the roadway and struck a utility pole. The driver fled the scene but was arrested at a nearby gas station by members of the Florida Highway Patrol. The man was charged with driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and improper lane change. Patrolman Mathews had served with the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department for only six weeks. He had previously served with Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, the Boynton Beach Police Department, Palm SPrings Police Department, South Palm Beach Police Department, North Lauderdale Police Department, and as a park ranger with the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-BC899E38- 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.
Patrolman Mathews served with the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Palm Beach Gardens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mathews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Steven Mathews 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Steven Mathews's cause is highlighted.
How William Steven Mathews Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Steven Mathews is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Steven Mathews was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Palm Beach Gardens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.