William Linder

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Felonious

End of Watch February 9, 1896

Age 28

The Vigil Panel 13 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 377

Incident

Police Officer William Linder succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was attacked by two men near the intersection of 22nd Street and Race Street.

Officer Linder witnessed two men preparing to fight and attempted to separate them. As he did so both men turned on Policeman Linder, knocked him down, struck him with their hands and feet causing a fractured skull and other serious injuries. Policeman Linder managed to arrest one of the subjects and walked him to the police station before going to Hahnemann Hospital to be treated. Officer Linder was recovering well from his injuries when he suffered a relapse and died as a result of complications.

Both suspects were charged with murder after Officer Linder's death and remained in jail until the trial. In November 1896 both suspects pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter and both received six-month sentences.

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Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Linder served with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Location Philadelphia, PA

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

Service Record

End of Watch February 9, 1896

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Assault

Weapon Person; Alcohol involved

Offender Sentenced to 6 months

Police Officer William Linder 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.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious