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Incident
Police Officer Matthews accidentally shot himself while examining his Colt revolver. After looking the weapon over he was putting it back in his pocket when it discharged and he was struck in the leg. Officer Matthews died of infection twelve days later.
Survivors
Officer Matthews had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his wife and child.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Matthews gave the Yonkers Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yonkers community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Yonkers Police Department has lost 20 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
Wilfred is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Wilfred is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wilfred is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 2 officers at Yonkers Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1916, 5 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1916, 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 1916, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Wilfred was 40. Of the 10 lost to accidents at Yonkers Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 46.3; the middle age was 40. Wilfred had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Wilfred was 40. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Wilfred had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Wilfred was 40. 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. Wilfred had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wilfred was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Wilfred had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 18.2% of these deaths at Yonkers Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 27.3%.
October holds 10.3% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.4%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 55% of all 20 deaths at Yonkers Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Yonkers Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Wilfred among them.
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Edward Burns
Sep 5, 1904
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Dennis McElroy
Oct 25, 1916
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Wilfred Matthews Oct 29, 1916
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Edward J. Morrison
Jul 18, 1918
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Daniel Shea
Apr 6, 1926
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John Hudock
Feb 21, 1928
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Michael J. Walsh
Dec 23, 1929
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Patrick F. Whalen
Feb 23, 1934
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George J. Erling
Jun 30, 1935
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Daniel E. Quilty
Oct 15, 1936
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Joseph Kostik
Apr 17, 1938
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Albert Liptak
Apr 18, 1938
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John W. Cahill
Jan 23, 1940
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Harold L. Woods
Sep 22, 1974
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John Silinsky
Sep 30, 1982
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Anthony Maggiore
Nov 22, 2014
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Roy D. McLaughlin
Sep 10, 2015
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William J. Sullivan, Jr.
Apr 11, 2020
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Stanley J. Kasper
Jul 9, 2021
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Frank Gualdino
Dec 1, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Yonkers Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
