Incident
Police Officer William Schultz was shot and killed at the intersection of Elliott Avenue (modern-day Concord Avenue) and Tatnall Street as he attempted to question two men who matched the description of theft suspects.
The subjects opened fire, striking Officer Schultz in the head and abdomen.
Officer Schultz had served with the Wilmington Police Department for over two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
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
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Schultz gave the Wilmington Police Department 2 years.
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.
Charles is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1891, 1 officer at Wilmington Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1891, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1891, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1891, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 36. 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. Charles had served 2.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 36. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. Charles had served 2.6 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Charles was 36. 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. Charles had served 2.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 14.3% of these deaths at Wilmington Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 16% of these deaths in DE, more than any other month. Fridays: 24%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
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 51.7% of all 34,117 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, Charles 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 9-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.







