William James Henhoeffer

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Felonious

End of Watch December 25, 1955

Age 55

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

The Vigil Panel 91 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 377

Incident

Auxiliary Police Officer William Henhoeffer was struck and killed by a drunk driver while he directed traffic at the intersection of Frankford Avenue and Primrose Street following a midnight mass Christmas service. A witness got the drivers license number which led police to his home where he was arrested for drunk driving, hit-and run, and manslaughter. The 38-year-old driver was convicted of hit-and-run. The judge dismissed the other charges stating that the drivers insurance company would refuse to pay a $9,000.00 settlement to Officer Henhoeffer's widow if he was convicted of manslaughter or drunk driving. The driver paid a small fine and got no jail time. Several citizens and the news media wanted an explanation as to why the case was settled this way, but never got one.

Survivors

Auxiliary Police Officer Henhoeffer served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 14 years and was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-D96DA9A8
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Auxiliary Police Officer Henhoeffer gave the Philadelphia Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Police Officer Henhoeffer.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 25, 1955

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Age 55

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile

Auxiliary Police Officer William James Henhoeffer is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

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.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,756 officers

0% Felonious