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Patrolman

William J. Clossey

Buffalo Police Department — Buffalo, NY
Accident
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch June 13, 1913
Age 45
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
The Vigil Panel 27 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 50

Incident

Patrolman William Clossey was killed when a delivery wagon he was riding in crashed into a telegraph pole.

During the drivers strike of 1913, patrolmen were assigned to ride in delivery wagons to protect the drivers. Patrolman Clossey was assigned to such a duty when the delivery wagon in which he was riding collided with a telegraph pole at Main and Rile Streets. Patrolman Clossey was thrown twenty feet to the ground.

After spending a week recovering at Sisters Hospital with a fractured knee, Patrolman Clossey was sent home. Later that week, Patrolman Clossey died. The Buffalo Medical Examiner ruled that his death was directly linked to the accident.

Patrolman Clossey had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 15 years, and was survived by his wife.

Survivors

Patrolman Clossey had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 15 years, and was survived by his wife.

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.
Patrolman Clossey gave the Buffalo Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Clossey.

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

Agency

Department Buffalo Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Buffalo, Erie County, NY
Platform Identity bpd.erie.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 13, 1913
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Age 45
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Cause Detail Automobile crash

The Sacrifice · Accident

William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1913, 35 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 45. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.

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

Buffalo Police Department has 51 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Patrolman William J. Clossey

Buffalo Police Department · End of Watch June 13, 1913

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E

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