Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman William Miles was beaten to death while attempting to arrest four men in Manayunk. His body was found at the bottom of a set of 84 stairs that lead from Dawson Street to Ridge Avenue. Investigators believed he caught four men who were burglarizing a nearby mill and that they beat him with a blunt instrument, causing him to suffer fatal head injuries. Policeman Miles had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 12 years. He was a widower and was survived by his five children. His wife had died in a flu epidemic.
Survivors
He was a widower and was survived by his five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-FB8B896E- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Miles gave the Philadelphia Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Miles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman William Henry Miles 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 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 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
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 Henry Miles's cause is highlighted.
How William Henry Miles Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Henry Miles is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Henry Miles was killed by blunt object.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
