Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective William Capers was accidentally shot and killed by another officer while in pursuit of a robbery subject. Detective Capers and his partner were in the Jamaica, Queens, area investigating complaints of purse snatching in the area. The detectives spotted three men in a parking lot on 164th Street carrying shopping bags and stopped to question them. During the questioning, the detectives found that one of the men was in possession of an illegal handgun in his car. Detective Capers and is partner were handcuffing the suspects when one of the subjects fled on foot. Detective Capers pursued him, firing a warning shot into the air. Detective Capers caught-up with up the suspect in the vestibule of 89-53 164th Street and was holding him at gunpoint. A nearby Patrolman observed Detective Capers, with a gun in hand, chasing the suspect. The Patrolman, thinking that Detective Capers was robbing the suspect, opened fire, killing Detective Capers. Detective Capers was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor. Detective Capers served with the New York City Police Department for 19 years and was survived by his wife and son. He was assigned to the 16th Division Burglary/Larceny Squad.
Survivors
Detective Capers served with the New York City Police Department for 19 years and was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-F1DC6123- 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 Capers gave the New York City Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Capers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective William R. Capers 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 R. Capers's cause is highlighted.
How William R. Capers Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Capers is highlighted in Apr.
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.
