Roll of Honor
William W. Davis
Incident
Officer Bill Davis and Officer Richard Posey were shot and killed after being ambushed in the police department's parking lot. After patroling the town, the officers went back to the station around 2:00 a.m. When Officer Davis exited the patrol car, he was shot. Officer Posey ran around the vehicle to see what happened; he was also shot. Both officers were shot in the back. They were found around 3:00 am. A 28-year-old man was arrested at his home and charged with their murders. The victim officers had charged him with driving with a revoked license two months earlier. The suspect was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two life terms on March 25, 1974. Officer Davis had served with the Kennett Square Police Department for two years. He was survived by his parents, four brothers, and two sisters. His father had served as a correctional officer, and a brother was a part-time police officer in New Garden Township.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-8DB74C36- 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 Davis gave the Kennett Square Borough Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kennett Square community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William W. Davis 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 Kennett Square Borough Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William W. Davis's cause is highlighted.
How William W. Davis Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William W. Davis is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William W. Davis was killed by rifle; .308 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Kennett Square Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
