William Wetherspoon Gemmell

Pawtucket Police Dept. — Pawtucket, RI

Felonious

End of Watch June 22, 1908

Age 24

The Vigil Panel 22 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 6

Incident

Special Officer William Gemmell succumbed to a gunshot wound three days earlier while attempting to settle a dispute between two men after being summoned to the scene.

Upon displaying his badge one of the men drew a handgun and shot him in the neck.

Special Officer Gemmell, it has been 116 years since you were taken from us. New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your years of law enforcement service.

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall Georges Mills, NH June 22nd, 2024

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-RI-959A37BC
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Officer Gemmell served with the Pawtucket Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pawtucket community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Gemmell.

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

Agency

Department Pawtucket Police Dept.

Location Pawtucket, RI

Platform Identity pawtpd.providence.ri.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 22, 1908

Age 24

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Special Officer William Wetherspoon Gemmell 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 RI, 25 of 55 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this state's fallen. That is 8.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Pawtucket Police Dept., 4 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.

Pawtucket Police Dept.

of 7 officers

57.1% Felonious

RI — Statewide

of 55 officers

45.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious