Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer David Simpson was stabbed to death by a man running amuck with a knife at the intersection of 19th Street and Federal Street. While off duty, Policeman Simpson, grabbed the man when the subject stabbed him. The suspect was arrested by other officers and identified by Officer Simpson before he succumbed to his wound. During his trial, the suspect said he thought Officer Simpson was one of a group of men who attacked him minutes earlier. He was acquitted. Police Officer Simpson served with the Philadelphia Police Department for over three years. He was survived by his wife, parents, and siblings. His father was also a Philadelphia Police Officer.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-396F42DA- 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.
Police Officer Simpson gave the Philadelphia Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Simpson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer David M. Simpson 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David M. Simpson's cause is highlighted.
How David M. Simpson Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David M. Simpson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David M. Simpson was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
