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Incident
Patrolman William Stephens was standing alongside the street using a police callbox when two vehicles collided at the intersection of 7th Street and 8th Avenue. One of the vehicles then struck him, causing him to fall and suffer a broken neck.
Survivors
Patrolman Stephens was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
26 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Stephens gave the Altoona Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Altoona community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Stephens.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Altoona Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1920, 6 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1920, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1920, 66 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 57. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. William had served 26.7 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
William was 57. 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 26.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 57. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 26.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.9% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Altoona Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Altoona Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Altoona Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
