William John Gormley

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Cardiac

End of Watch December 18, 1936

Age 38

The Vigil Panel 72 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 377

Incident

Police Officer William Gormley suffered a fatal heart attack moments after subduing an emotionally disturbed person who had set himself on fire and jumped off of a 20-foot high roof.

He had responded to a home near Front Street and Poplar Street in reference to a suspicious person who had been running up and down the stairs causing a disturbance. The man went onto the rooftop and refused to come down as officers arrived.

The fire department was brought to the scene and setup a net below the man, who was threatening to light himself on fire. The man eventually lit himself on fire and then jumped from the roof, injuring one of the firemen. Officer Gormley struggled with the subject briefly before subduing him. He handed the prisoner over to another officer and then collapsed. He was taken to Saint Mary's Hospital where he passed away.

Officer Gormley was assigned to the 3rd Street and Fairmount Avenue Station.

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 13th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-1D59E272
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 Gormley served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gormley.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Location Philadelphia, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 18, 1936

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

Police Officer William John Gormley is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In PA, 118 of 1,261 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 9.4% of this state's fallen. That is 5.4 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.

At Philadelphia Police Department, 37 of 378 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 9.8% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department

of 378 officers

9.8% Cardiac

PA — Statewide

118

of 1,261 officers

9.4% Cardiac

Nationwide

1,306

of 32,508 officers

4% Cardiac