Roll of Honor
Incident
Watchmen William Pullan was beaten to death by suspects he and another Watchman were attempting to arrest for creating a disturbance. Watchman Pullan and his partner were walking their regular beat on Broad Street, in Providence, at approximately midnight when they heard the sound of people kicking over barrels and boxes. When they arrived at the source of the sound, they observed two men kicking over a barrel. Watchman Pullan's partner took one suspect into custody, but the second suspect fled.
As Watchman Pullan and his partner were walking with the one suspect, they observed that four men had surrounded an off-duty Watchman. Watchman Pullan and his partner ran over to help and were able to take three of the men into custody. As they were walking with them, another man attacked them with a club, striking Watchman Pullan several times in the head. When Watchman Pullan fell to the ground, he was beaten by the four suspects. Watchman Pullan's partner was also struck by the suspect, but he and the off-duty Watchman were able to frighten off the suspects.
Watchman Pullan was taken to his home and a doctor was summoned. The doctor was unable to treat Watchman Pullan and he died of his wounds at approximately 10:00 am.
Watchman Pullan was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Watchman Pullan was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
174 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman Pullan served with the Providence City Watch.
Thank you for your service to the Providence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Watchman William T. Pullan 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 RI, 25 of 55 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this state's fallen. That is 8.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William T. Pullan's cause is highlighted.
How William T. Pullan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William T. Pullan is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William T. Pullan was killed by blunt object.