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William J. Davis
Agency patch
Inspector

William J. Davis

Oakland Police Department — Oakland, CA
Felonious
United States flag California flag
End of Watch January 5, 1928
Age 47
Badge 159
The Vigil Panel 54 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 53

Incident

Inspector William Davis was shot and killed while he and two other officers investigated a suspicious person call at a home at 1712 68th Avenue. A neighbor had called police to report the occupants had kept "odd hours." The occupants of the home were wanted in Los Angeles for forgery and numerous other crimes. A woman who answered the door told officers no one else was home, however, Inspector Davis saw two men who matched the description of the wanted men inside. As officers attempted to gain entry into the home one of the suspects opened fire through a door, fatally wounding Inspector Davis. The man was apprehended after a shootout with other officers. Inspector Davis succumbed to his wounds two days later. The man who shot Inspector Davis was sentenced to death. He was hung at San Quentin State Prison on February 15th, 1929. The subject's wife and brother-in-law were also convicted of charges relating to the murder and sent to prison.

Survivors

Inspector Davis was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Inspector Davis served with the Oakland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Davis.

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

Agency

Department Oakland Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Oakland, Alameda County, CA
Platform Identity opd.alameda.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 5, 1928
Age 47
Badge Number 159
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 47. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Oakland Police Department has 54 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Inspector William J. Davis

Oakland Police Department · End of Watch January 5, 1928

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-E

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