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Incident
Patrolman William Levan suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after being kicked in the abdomen by a suspect who had been arrested for being drunk in public. The suspect had been found laying in a gutter by another patrolman and was being walked to jail when Patrolman Levan came to assist the officer.
The suspect began to struggle near the intersection of Ninth Street and Muhlenburg Street. The other officer threw the man to the ground as Patrolman Levan assisted. The man began to kick at both officers and struck Patrolman Levan in the abdomen.
After subduing the prisoner, Patrolman Levan asked a citizen to help take the prisoner to the jail because he began to feel ill. When they arrived at the jail Patrolman Levan went to the chief's office to tell him of the incident. He collapsed as he told the chief he had been kicked in the abdomen.
Patrolman Levan was survived by his wife and several grown children.
Survivors
Patrolman Levan was survived by his wife and several grown 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
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Tributes
158 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Levan served with the Reading Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Reading community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Reading Police Department has lost 9 officers; 2 of them lost to cardiac events.
William is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
William is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1868, 1 officer in PA was lost to cardiac events, the 30th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1868, 1 officer in the United States was lost to cardiac events, the 122nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1868, 1 officer worldwide was lost to cardiac events, the 122nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
William was 60. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48.
William was 60. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48.
William was 60. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48.
When
February holds 5.1% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 15.3%.
February holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
February holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 22.2% of all 9 deaths at Reading Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Reading Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Reading Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
