Roll of Honor
William F. Emerson
Incident
Assistant Fire Marshal William Emerson died after suffering heat exhaustion while investigating a crash involving two Interborough Rapid Transit Company trains on the elevated tracks along Eighth Avenue, between 112th Street and 113th Street, in Manhattan.
An IRT Company employee was killed and 34 passengers were injured in the crash, which occurred on the highest section of elevated track along the railroad line. Assistant Fire Marshal Emerson had climbed an 85-foot ladder to reach the crash site. He collapsed on the elevated tracks approximately one hour after the initial crash.
Assistant Fire Marshal Emerson had served with the New York City Fire Marshal's Office for 18 years. He was survived by his wife. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-659D8FA2- 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.
Assistant Fire Marshal Emerson gave the New York City Fire Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Fire Marshal Emerson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Assistant Fire Marshal William F. Emerson is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York City Fire Department - Bureau of Fire Investigation, 1 of 3 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William F. Emerson's cause is highlighted.
How William F. Emerson Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. William F. Emerson is highlighted in Jun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from New York City Fire Department - Bureau of Fire Investigation are honored on badge.nw.
