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Incident
Officer William Davidson was killed in a motorcycle crash in the Santa Monica Courthouse parking lot while training a new officer on the operation of the department's three-wheeled motorcycles. He was leaving the parking lot when he struck a chain that had been strung across the entrance to Pico Boulevard. Officer Davidson had served with the Santa Monica Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Officer Davidson gave the Santa Monica Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Monica community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Davidson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Santa Monica Police Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 1 officer at Santa Monica Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 2.
In 1969, 14 officers in CA were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1969, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1969, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 31. Of the 4 lost to accidents at Santa Monica Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 32.5; the middle age was 30. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
William was 31. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 31. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Santa Monica Police Department; March holds the most, 40%. Fridays: 80%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Fridays: 13.9%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Santa Monica Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Santa Monica Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Santa Monica Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
