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Incident
Detective Sergeant Mortimer was shot and killed at 1175 Staley Avenue while attempting to arrest two suspects who had just robbed nearby Potaskys' Jewelry Store. As the subjects ran from the store, a 52-year-old man who just happened to be walking by and saw what happened ordered the two to stop. But one suspect shot and killed him. He was a well-known civil rights activist. Detective Mortimer was en route to the police academy when he responded to a call of assistance at an apartment complex where the two suspects barricaded themselves. While on the scene, he observed two young girls looking out of a door at all of the police activity. Sergeant Mortimer immediately ran to the girls and pushed them inside the door for their own safety. Just as he did this, the same suspect who killed the other man came out of his apartment, saw Sergeant Mortimer, and shot him in the face with a .357 caliber handgun. Both suspects, 16 and 18, were apprehended and charged with capital murder. Ironically the 18-year-old gunman was convicted of one count of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled in 1983. The 16-year-old was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on October 29, 1992. The 16-year-old was the 18-year-old's uncle. Because the two looked so much alike, there was a lot of confusion during their trials. Sergeant Mortimer's brother, Sergeant Paul Mortimer, died in the line of duty four years earlier while also serving with the Dayton Police Department. Sergeant Mortimer had served with the Dayton Police Department for 22 years and was a graduate of the 83rd Session of the FBI National Academy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Sergeant Mortimer gave the Dayton Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Dayton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Mortimer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dayton Police Department has lost 31 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 1 officer at Dayton Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 3.
In 1974, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 44. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Dayton Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.8 and 43.8; the middle age was 39. William had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 44. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 44. 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 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 11.1% of these deaths at Dayton Police Department; January holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 11.1%.
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.1% of all 31 deaths at Dayton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.6% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Dayton Police Department has 31 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Lee Lynam
Jan 17, 1880
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Amer M. Keller
Jan 7, 1897
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William Dalton
Aug 10, 1899
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John J. Stapleton
Jan 17, 1916
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Charles V. Thomas
May 21, 1916
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George V. Purcell
Sep 23, 1916
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Lawrence Robert Graham
Oct 7, 1918
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Edward Michael Hennessey
Oct 12, 1918
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Vinton E. Harsh
Oct 13, 1918
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Emerson A. Glotfelter
Dec 7, 1918
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Clement Leroy Francis
Mar 8, 1919
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Troy Elmer Sine
Jan 28, 1920
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George E. Clark
Jan 29, 1923
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William C. Horn
Sep 18, 1927
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John C. Post
Sep 25, 1927
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Walter E. Rauch
Dec 25, 1927
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William Tom Wilson
Feb 23, 1928
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Lucius J. Rice
Oct 5, 1939
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Sherman E. Nowlin
May 3, 1947
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Herman A. Drexler
May 16, 1947
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Richard Owen Baker
Nov 5, 1965
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Ronald K. Wells
Apr 6, 1967
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James Lee Mobley
Jan 25, 1970
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Paul Erwin Mortimer
Jul 31, 1970
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Daniel Henry Bruns
Jul 3, 1973
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William Kenneth Mortimer
Mar 4, 1974
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Eddie L. Hobson
Oct 11, 1981
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William Steven Whalen
Mar 22, 1991
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Jason K. Grossnickle
May 23, 1996
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Mary Lynn Beall
Aug 25, 2002
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Jorge Rene DelRio
Nov 7, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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