Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Keith L. Williams and Detective Richard J. Guerzon were shot and killed by a prisoner as they were returning him to Riker's Island. The detectives had picked up the prisoner at Riker's Island to bring him to the Queen's District Attorney's Office so a polygraph test could be administered. The prisoner was secured in a room and handcuffed to a pipe on the wall, but was left unsupervised. It was during this time that their killer broke into a locker within his reach and obtained a handgun. When the polygraph was canceled, the prisoner was cuffed behind his back to be returned to Riker’s Island. As the detectives drove along the Grand Central Parkway near LaGuardia Airport, the prisoner drew the weapon and ordered the detectives to pull the car to the side of the road. As soon as the vehicle stopped, the prisoner killed both officers. He uncuffed himself with the detectives' handcuff keys and fled. The detectives' killer, 25, was apprehended a few hours after the murder. He was subsequently convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 91 years to life. He will be eligible for parole in 2079. Detective Williams was assigned to the Queens District Attorney's Squad for eight years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. In September 2019, 172nd Street and Jamaica Avenue were renamed Detective Keith Williams Way.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-24C08A5C- 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.
Detective Williams gave the New York City Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Keith L. Williams 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Keith L. Williams's cause is highlighted.
How Keith L. Williams Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 91 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Keith L. Williams is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Keith L. Williams was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
