Roll of Honor
Incident
Alongside a colleague, Sergeant Forth responded to a late-night call reporting a case of domestic violence and a broken window on a housing estate in Sunniside, Gateshead.
Having arrived on scene, William encountered a twenty-six-year-old man who, while under the influence of alcohol and tranquillisers, then attacked the officer, beating him with palings from a fence before stabbing him in the heart, lung and kidney.
For his actions Sergeant Forth was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.
William joined Northumbria Police in 1979 and served in Sunderland. He was promoted to sergeant in 1989 and later seconded to the district training centre at Aykley Heads in Durham. On his return to Northumbria he served in areas including Felling and Whickham, in Gateshead.
Prior to his death, William was working towards becoming an Inspector and had been commended by a judge for his bravery while tackling two armed men.
In Our Keeping
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BO-GB-NOP-B128CBCC- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 8, 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.
Sergeant Forth served with the Northumbria Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Forth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant William Forth 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 ENG, 702 of 2,827 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 24.8% of this state's fallen. That is 29.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Northumbria Police, 2 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 18.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Forth's cause is highlighted.
How William Forth Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Forth is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Northumbria Police are honored on badge.nw.
