William J. Otis

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch March 3, 1971

Age 23

Tour of Duty 1 yrs 1 mo

The Vigil Panel 108 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 100

Incident

Patrolman William Otis was killed by a gunshot while he and his partner responded to a burglary in progress call at a home on Centre Avenue in Oakland. The owner of the residence, thinking Officer Otis was the burglar, shot him as he entered a hallway. Patrolman Otis was taken to Presbyterian University Hospital where he died within the hour. Patrolman Otis was a U.S Army Reserves veteran and had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 13 months. He was survived by his wife, two year old son, and parents, and sister. He was assigned to the Zone 4 Police Station Oakland.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two year old son, and parents, and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-D4C0986B
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.
Patrolman Otis gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Location Pittsburgh, PA

Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 3, 1971

Tour of Duty 1 yrs 1 mo

Age 23

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .32 caliber

Offender No charges filed

Military Service

William J. Otis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman William J. Otis 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 Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, 45 of 101 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.6% of this agency's fallen.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

of 101 officers

44.6% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious