William H. McCloskey
Agency patch
Policeman

William H. McCloskey

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Accident
End of Watch May 5, 1935
Age 37
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Badge 3200
Gender Male

Incident

Policeman McCloskey was killed in an automobile accident during a vehicle pursuit. The car he was riding in collided with another car at Wissahickon Avenue and Queen Lane and then struck a utility pole. Policeman McCloskey was thrown from the vehicle and sustained fatal head injuries. Another officer and five bystanders were injured. Policeman McCloskey had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 5 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his four 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.
Policeman McCloskey gave the Philadelphia Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman McCloskey.

— 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 May 5, 1935
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 37
Badge Number 3200
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Automobile

The Sacrifice · Accident

William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 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 1935, 99 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 37. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% 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

Policeman William H. McCloskey

Philadelphia Police Department · End of Watch May 5, 1935

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E

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