William J. Stokes

Watertown Police Department — Watertown, CT

Felonious

End of Watch May 2, 1925

Age 36

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

The Vigil Panel 49 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Patrol Officer William Stokes was shot and killed with his own service weapon after responding to a domestic disturbance at an apartment on Bank Street. He was immediately attacked as he entered the apartment. During the struggle the man attempted to gain control of Officer Stokes' revolver. Officer Stokes was able to shoot the man in the hand but the suspect then gained control of the revolver and fatally shot the officer. The suspect attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by a responding officer. On January 26, 1926, the suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced from 10 to 15 years.

Survivors

Officer Stokes had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CT-71711513
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.
Patrol Officer Stokes gave the Waterbury Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waterbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Stokes.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Watertown Police Department

Location Watertown, CT

Platform Identity watepd.naugatuck.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 2, 1925

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

Age 36

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to 15 years

Patrol Officer William J. Stokes 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Watertown Police Department, 5 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this agency's fallen.

Watertown Police Department

of 11 officers

45.5% Felonious

CT — Statewide

of 169 officers

43.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious