Incident
Officer Wickman was killed in a motorcycle accident while pursuing a vehicle on Union Avenue. Another vehicle turned in front of him at 68th Street, causing a collision. The motorcycle hit the car's passenger side and he was thrown onto the hood, hitting his head on the windshield frame. Two passing drivers took Officer Wickman to Tacoma General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver was cleared of any wrongdoing in the officer's death. Officer Wickman had served with the Tacoma Police Department for only 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Officer Wickman served with the Tacoma Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tacoma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Wickman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Tacoma Police Department has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 1 officer at Tacoma Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 2.
In 1925, 1 officer in WA was lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 1925, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1925, 96 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 26th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 30. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Tacoma Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 45; the middle age was 44. William had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 30. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. William had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 30. 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 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 30. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Tacoma Police Department; November holds the most, 40%. Sundays: 40%.
August holds 5.4% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Sundays: 18.9%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Tacoma Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 20% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 9.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Tacoma Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Minor Cudihee
Jul 30, 1892
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Lloyd M. Kincaid Oct 28, 1918
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William Wickman
Aug 9, 1925
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Paul Andrew Trent
Nov 23, 1941
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Martin J. Joyce
Nov 25, 1941
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Lief Ben Overdahl
Jan 22, 1957
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Larry Leland Frost
Sep 9, 1977
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Craig Alan Nollmeyer
Jan 24, 1985
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Larry W. Walker
Oct 25, 1986
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William Francis Lowry
Aug 28, 1997
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James Gordon Lewis
Apr 27, 2004
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Reginald Jake Gutierrez
Nov 30, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 57-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Tacoma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.









