William Rivera
Agency patch
Police Officer

William Rivera

Accident
End of Watch November 24, 2004
Age 35
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer William Rivera died as a result of injuries he sustained when he fell 20 feet from a fire escape while pursuing a burglary suspect.

Officer Rivera and his partner responded to a report of a ringing burglar alarm at 200 3rd Street, Brooklyn. When they arrived, they observed an open door and a suspect fleeing to the roof. Officer Rivera and his partner proceeded to the roof of the building, and while chasing the suspect on the rooftop, Officer Rivera lost his footing while on a fire escape and fell at least 20 feet to the ground. He suffered multiple injuries, including injuries to his back and legs and needed several surgeries.

Officer Rivera suffered a massive seizure while recovering from an operation to repair one of his injuries. He was taken to Wyckoff Hospital where he died.

The burglary suspect escaped and has not been apprehended or identified.

Officer Rivera was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department’s Medal of Honor for his actions.

Officer Rivera had served with the New York City Police Department for 12 years and was assigned to the 78th Precinct.

Survivors

He is survived by his daughter and fiancée.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Rivera gave the New York City Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Rivera.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch November 24, 2004
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Cause Detail Fall

The Sacrifice · Accident

William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 2004, 72 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 35. 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 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer William Rivera

New York City Police Department · End of Watch November 24, 2004

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E

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