William George McCracken

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Cardiac

End of Watch February 5, 1984

Age 37

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Badge 5491

The Vigil Panel 128 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 377

Incident

Police Officer William McCracken collapsed and died inside the 23rd District police station at 1747 North 17th Street after breaking up a disorderly crowd on Spruce Street near 15th and chasing one suspect. Officer McCracken had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 14 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-FBF4D6A8
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

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

— 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 5, 1984

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Age 37

Badge Number 5491

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

Police Officer William George McCracken is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In PA, 118 of 1,261 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 9.4% of this state's fallen. That is 5.4 percentage points above the national rate of 4%.

At Philadelphia Police Department, 37 of 378 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 9.8% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department

of 378 officers

9.8% Cardiac

PA — Statewide

118

of 1,261 officers

9.4% Cardiac

Nationwide

1,306

of 32,508 officers

4% Cardiac