Incident
Corporal William Daniels was shot and killed while off duty at a bar at 8th Street and Christian Street by one of four men during an armed robbery. One of the subjects took his wallet, saw his police identification, and fatally shot him. All four men, 19, 20, 21, and 28, were apprehended. Three of the subjects were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The killer, 28, was sentenced to death. The death sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1977 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was unconstitutional.
Survivors
Corporal Daniels served wit the Philadelphia Police Department for 13 years and was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-6790D4EF- 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.
Corporal Daniels gave the Philadelphia Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Daniels.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal William L. Daniels 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. William L. Daniels's cause is highlighted.
How William L. Daniels Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William L. Daniels is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William L. Daniels was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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