Incident
Officer William Pfalmer succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 17 years earlier after stopping of a stolen vehicle containing three juveniles.
As Officer Pfalmer approached the stolen vehicle on June 9, 1953 the driver sped away. As the vehicle drove away Officer Pfalmer shot out its transmission, disabling it. When he approached the vehicle a second time one of the suspects opened fire on him, striking him in the left arm and right shoulder, shattering spine. The wound to the spine paralyzed Officer Pfalmer from the chest down. Over the next 17 years he underwent numerous surgeries as his health continued to deteriorate. He finally succumbed to the wound while undergoing a corrective surgery.
Officer Pfalmer was a US Coast Guard veteran and had served with the Anchorage Police Department for 3 years. He had previously served with the Alaska Territorial Police.
As Officer Pfalmer approached the stolen vehicle on June 9, 1953 the driver sped away. As the vehicle drove away Officer Pfalmer shot out its transmission, disabling it. When he approached the vehicle a second time one of the suspects opened fire on him, striking him in the left arm and right shoulder, shattering spine. The wound to the spine paralyzed Officer Pfalmer from the chest down. Over the next 17 years he underwent numerous surgeries as his health continued to deteriorate. He finally succumbed to the wound while undergoing a corrective surgery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, mother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-AK-A0AD13D2- Stewardship
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- 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 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.
Patrol Officer Pfalmer gave the Anchorage Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Anchorage community. Thank you 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 G. Pfalmer, Jr. served in the Other (1943â1945) before joining law enforcement.
Patrol Officer William G. Pfalmer, Jr. 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 AK, 35 of 50 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this state's fallen. That is 15.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Anchorage Police Dept., 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William G. Pfalmer, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William G. Pfalmer, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William G. Pfalmer, Jr. is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William G. Pfalmer, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Anchorage Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.







