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Incident
Patrol Officer William Stokes was shot and killed with his own service weapon after responding to a domestic disturbance at an apartment on Bank Street. He was immediately attacked as he entered the apartment. During the struggle the man attempted to gain control of Officer Stokes' revolver. Officer Stokes was able to shoot the man in the hand but the suspect then gained control of the revolver and fatally shot the officer. The suspect attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by a responding officer. On January 26, 1926, the suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced from 10 to 15 years.
Survivors
Officer Stokes had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrol Officer Stokes gave the Waterbury Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waterbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Stokes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Watertown Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1925, 1 officer at Watertown Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1925, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 36. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Watertown Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 40; the middle age was 36. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
William was 36. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
William 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. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Watertown Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 20%.
May holds 13.5% of these deaths in CT, more than any other month. Saturdays: 12.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Watertown Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Watertown Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Paul Mendelssohn
Mar 8, 1903
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Daniel J. Lane
Aug 7, 1913
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John F. Donahue
Aug 2, 1920
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William J. Stokes
May 2, 1925
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Matthew J. McNally
Nov 20, 1930
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Edward F. Ryan
Jan 27, 1933
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John E. Palmatier
Jul 20, 1941
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Frank D. Romano
Nov 22, 1958
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Leonard J. LaManna
Nov 18, 1961
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Walter T. Williams, III
Dec 18, 1992
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Bruce Hanley
Dec 13, 1997
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Watertown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
