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Patrolman

William Heaviside

New York Municipal Police — New York City, NY
Illness
United States flag
End of Watch January 18, 1883
Age 41
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
The Vigil Panel 7 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 20

Incident

Patrolman William Heaviside died from an infection he contracted after being bitten by a sick person he was attempting to aid.

Patrolman Heaviside was called to the corner of James Street and Cherry Street, in Manhattan, to aid a person having a seizure. While attending to and assisting the person, Patrolman Heaviside was bitten on the right hand. The hand became infected and swollen soon after. As time passed, the infection got worse, and doctors informed Patrolman Heaviside that he had to have his hand amputated. Patrolman Heaviside refused to have the surgery and died 11 months after being bitten.

Patrolman Heaviside was assigned to the 4th Precinct, which is the present day 5th Precinct.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
September 9, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

143 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Heaviside gave the New York Municipal Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York Municipal Police
Type Police Department
Location New York City, NY
Platform Identity nymunpd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 18, 1883
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 41
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Illness

The Sacrifice · Illness

William is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1883, 4 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 134th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.

Every year on record · Worldwide
II

Who

William was 41. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. William had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

January holds 9.9% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Thursdays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Illness deaths account for 8.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York Municipal Police has 21 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman William Heaviside

New York Municipal Police · End of Watch January 18, 1883

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W

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