William James Henhoeffer
Agency patch
Auxiliary Police Officer

William James Henhoeffer

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Felonious
End of Watch December 25, 1955
Age 55
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
The Vigil Panel 202 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Auxiliary Police Officer William Henhoeffer was struck and killed by a drunk driver while he directed traffic at the intersection of Frankford Avenue and Primrose Street following a midnight mass Christmas service. A witness got the drivers license number which led police to his home where he was arrested for drunk driving, hit-and run, and manslaughter. The 38-year-old driver was convicted of hit-and-run. The judge dismissed the other charges stating that the drivers insurance company would refuse to pay a $9,000.00 settlement to Officer Henhoeffer's widow if he was convicted of manslaughter or drunk driving. The driver paid a small fine and got no jail time. Several citizens and the news media wanted an explanation as to why the case was settled this way, but never got one.

Survivors

Auxiliary Police Officer Henhoeffer served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 14 years and was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Auxiliary Police Officer Henhoeffer gave the Philadelphia Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Police Officer Henhoeffer.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 25, 1955
Tour of Duty 14 yrs
Age 55
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1955, 53 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 55. 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. William had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.

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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Philadelphia Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Auxiliary Police Officer William James Henhoeffer

Philadelphia Police Department · End of Watch December 25, 1955

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W

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