Roll of Honor
William J. Sullivan
Incident
Railroad Detective William Sullivan was struck and killed by a switch engine in the railroad yards near the Canal Street crossing in Rochester, New York.
He had just stepped out of a small building and started across the tracks when he noticed the switch engine shunting a freight car. He attempted to jump off the tracks but was struck and suffered severe injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he died one hour later.
Detective Sullivan was a WWI veteran and had twice been wounded in battle.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-0E03B806- 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 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.
Railroad Detective Sullivan served with the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Thank you 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
William J. Sullivan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Railroad Detective William J. Sullivan is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police, 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Sullivan's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Sullivan Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Sullivan is highlighted in Oct.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Police are honored on badge.nw.
