Roll of Honor
William Henry Powell, Jr.
Incident
Officer Powell was shot and killed during an undercover investigation inside a home in 400 block of North Marshall Street. While inside the home a struggle ensued and the subject gained control of Officer Howell`s gun. The subject then placed Officer Powell`s body inside his vehicle a couple blocks away where it was later found. The suspect who shot him was originally sentenced to death. The sentenced was reduced to life in prison and he was eventually in paroled in 1981. His parole was later revoked and he was returned to prison. Officer Powell was a U.S Navy veteran of the Korean war and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-80BDDA74- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Powell gave the Philadelphia Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Henry Powell, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer William Henry Powell, Jr. 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 Henry Powell, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Henry Powell, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1981
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Henry Powell, Jr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Henry Powell, Jr. was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
