Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant Mortimer was shot and killed at 1175 Staley Avenue while attempting to arrest two suspects who had just robbed nearby Potaskys' Jewelry Store. As the subjects ran from the store, a 52-year-old man who just happened to be walking by and saw what happened ordered the two to stop. But one suspect shot and killed him. He was a well-known civil rights activist. Detective Mortimer was en route to the police academy when he responded to a call of assistance at an apartment complex where the two suspects barricaded themselves. While on the scene, he observed two young girls looking out of a door at all of the police activity. Sergeant Mortimer immediately ran to the girls and pushed them inside the door for their own safety. Just as he did this, the same suspect who killed the other man came out of his apartment, saw Sergeant Mortimer, and shot him in the face with a .357 caliber handgun. Both suspects, 16 and 18, were apprehended and charged with capital murder. Ironically the 18-year-old gunman was convicted of one count of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled in 1983. The 16-year-old was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on October 29, 1992. The 16-year-old was the 18-year-old's uncle. Because the two looked so much alike, there was a lot of confusion during their trials. Sergeant Mortimer's brother, Sergeant Paul Mortimer, died in the line of duty four years earlier while also serving with the Dayton Police Department. Sergeant Mortimer had served with the Dayton Police Department for 22 years and was a graduate of the 83rd Session of the FBI National Academy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-315B4068- 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Sergeant Mortimer gave the Dayton Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Mortimer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant William Kenneth Mortimer 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dayton Police Department, 18 of 31 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Kenneth Mortimer's cause is highlighted.
How William Kenneth Mortimer Compares
Offender Outcome
Cause: Gunfire
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Kenneth Mortimer is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Kenneth Mortimer was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Dayton Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
