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Incident
Park Guard William Doyle succumbed to injuries sustained three days earlier when he was thrown from his horse in West Park. While on patrol, Guard Doyle noticed a large group of people rushing towards Concourse Lake. This sort of activity usually indicated someone had fallen through the ice. As Guard Doyle attempted to respond to the scene, his horse slipped on the snowy road, and Guard Doyle was thrown to the ground. He suffered a fractured skull and was taken to Lankenau Hospital, where he later died. Park Guard Doyle had served with the Fairmount Park Police Department for 21 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two daughters and a grandson.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Park Guard Doyle gave the Fairmount Park Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Guard Doyle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fairmount Park Police Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 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 1945, 1 officer at Fairmount Park Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 2.
In 1945, 3 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1945, 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 1945, 68 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 47. Of the 4 lost to accidents at Fairmount Park Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 41; the middle age was 36.5. William had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
William was 47. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. William had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
William was 47. 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 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 47. 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 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 20% of these deaths at Fairmount Park Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 40%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Fairmount Park Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, 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
Fairmount Park Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Fairmount Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
