Prev
Incident
Patrolman Willard Santel succumbed to injuries he received when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a retaining wall while testing a new motorcycle on Old Wright Highway (now Interstate I-75) in Lockland on May 8, 1945. Suffering from a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula, he was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital. While hospitalized, he developed bilateral pneumonia and died on May 29, 1945. Patrolman Santel had served with the Reading Police Department for 1 1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife, who later gave birth to their daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtna9w6h7w5r91x595ftm- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Willard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Santel gave the Reading Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Reading community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Santel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Willard is the only officer of Reading Police Department remembered here.
Willard is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Willard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willard is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1945, 3 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
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
Willard was 23. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Willard had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willard was 23. 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. Willard had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willard was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Willard had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Tuesdays: 15%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Reading Police Department. The weapon recorded was not available, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Reading Police Department are honored on badge.nw.