Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman David Wiley was shot and killed as he and his partner investigated a suspicious vehicle parked in front of a business on Market Street near Third Street. After observing two men exit the building, place bundles in the car, and then return to the building, the officers approached the vehicle. A man sitting inside shot and killed Policeman Wiley, and then sped away. Four men, 19, 19, 20, and 22, were arrested nine days later and charged with Policeman Wiley's murder. All four were convicted of murder. Three were sentenced to life in prison. The 19-year-old killer was sentenced to death, but he was granted a new trial and sentenced to life. In June of 1942, he was pardoned by Governor Arthur H. James. From 1944 until his death, he had been charged with stabbing a woman, returned to prison for violating his parole, served another sentence for murder, worked as an enforcer and extortionist for a Philadelphia Mafia family, released from custody after citizens were fearful of testifying against him, convicted of burglary, and paroled again after saving the life of a guard who was stabbed during a riot at the Eastern Penitentiary. On December 25, 1975, he was shot and killed by a man he was arguing with in a Philadelphia bar. The group of burglars was suspected in the murder of Policeman William Henderson one month earlier, but were never charged due to a lack of evidence. Policeman Wiley was a U.S Navy World War I veteran and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-E5A0CED4- 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.
Policeman Wiley gave the Philadelphia Police Department 6 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
David H. Wiley served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman David H. Wiley 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. David H. Wiley's cause is highlighted.
How David H. Wiley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David H. Wiley is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David H. Wiley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
