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Incident
Police Officer Andrew Peterson was shot and killed after responding to reports of a domestic disturbance at the intersection of Front Street (modern-day Lancaster Avenue) and Broom Street. A male subject had accused his wife of infidelity after becoming drunk. The man refused to let the woman into their home and began throwing stones at her. When Officer Peterson arrived the man produced a revolver. Officer Peterson was shot in the abdomen when he stepped in front of the woman to protect her. A group of bystanders attempted to subdue the suspect, who escaped after shooting into the crowd. The man was later apprehended. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. In 1895 he was pardoned by Governor Robert J. Reynolds.
Survivors
Officer Peterson was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Peterson served with the Wilmington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— 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.
Andrew is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Andrew is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Andrew 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 1885, 1 officer at Wilmington Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1885, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1885, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1885, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Andrew was 45. 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.
Andrew was 45. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34.
Andrew was 45. 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.
Andrew was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 14.3% of these deaths at Wilmington Police Department; January holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 28.6%.
June holds 4% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Saturdays: 12%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 11 deaths at Wilmington Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 71.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% 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
Wilmington Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Andrew among them.
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John F. Baylis Sep 9, 1863
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Andrew T. Peterson Jun 27, 1885
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Charles W. Schultz Jan 30, 1891
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Francis X. Tierney
Mar 6, 1915
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Thomas L. Zebley
Nov 13, 1919
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Mary T. Davis
May 11, 1924
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Howard P. Atwell
Jun 29, 1926
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Milton A. Wimbrow
Dec 31, 1931
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Willard E. Pruitt, Jr.
Jul 7, 1944
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Thomas P. Conaty, Jr.
Dec 26, 1946
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Sayer R Evans
Nov 19, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
