Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer William Rivera died as a result of injuries he sustained when he fell 20 feet from a fire escape while pursuing a burglary suspect.
Officer Rivera and his partner responded to a report of a ringing burglar alarm at 200 3rd Street, Brooklyn. When they arrived, they observed an open door and a suspect fleeing to the roof. Officer Rivera and his partner proceeded to the roof of the building, and while chasing the suspect on the rooftop, Officer Rivera lost his footing while on a fire escape and fell at least 20 feet to the ground. He suffered multiple injuries, including injuries to his back and legs and needed several surgeries.
Officer Rivera suffered a massive seizure while recovering from an operation to repair one of his injuries. He was taken to Wyckoff Hospital where he died.
The burglary suspect escaped and has not been apprehended or identified.
Officer Rivera was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department’s Medal of Honor for his actions.
Officer Rivera had served with the New York City Police Department for 12 years and was assigned to the 78th Precinct.
Survivors
He is survived by his daughter and fiancée.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-DAF2245D- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Rivera gave the New York City Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Rivera.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William Rivera 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 Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Rivera's cause is highlighted.
How William Rivera Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. William Rivera is highlighted in Nov.
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.
