Prev
Incident
Police Matron Mary Davis was beaten to death by a female prisoner in the Wilmington Jail, at the intersection of 10th Street and French Street, during an escape attempt. The prisoner was the only female prisoner in the cellblock and had been placed in jail for threatening her husband with a gun. While in her cell, the woman broke the sink's water pipe and was using it to break away the cell's wall in her attempt to escape. When Matron Davis saw the water coming from the cell she opened the door and went in to fix what she thought was a plumbing problem. When she entered the prisoner picked up a piece of rock from the wall and beat Matron Davis to death. The prisoner was re-captured and served 10 years for another murder. Matron Davis had served with the Wilmington Police Department for 14 years. She is the second known female law enforcement officer to ever be killed in the line of duty.
Survivors
She was survived by her four children and is buried in Mount Salem Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmsq0r5avyspsx2q9e1w- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Mary. 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 Matron Davis gave the Wilmington Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Matron Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wilmington Police Department has lost 11 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Mary is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Mary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mary is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 1 officer at Wilmington Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1924, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mary was 67. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Wilmington Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.3 and 44; the middle age was 38.5. Mary had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mary was 67. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. Mary had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Mary was 67. 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. Mary had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mary was 67. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mary had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 14.3% of these deaths at Wilmington Police Department; January holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 14.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Sundays: 8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 11 deaths at Wilmington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Her people
Wilmington Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Mary among them.
-
John F. Baylis Sep 9, 1863
-
Andrew T. Peterson Jun 27, 1885
-
Charles W. Schultz Jan 30, 1891
-
Francis X. Tierney
Mar 6, 1915
-
Thomas L. Zebley
Nov 13, 1919
-
Mary T. Davis
May 11, 1924
-
Howard P. Atwell
Jun 29, 1926
-
Milton A. Wimbrow
Dec 31, 1931
-
Willard E. Pruitt, Jr.
Jul 7, 1944
-
Thomas P. Conaty, Jr.
Dec 26, 1946
-
Sayer R Evans
Nov 19, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
