Prev Next
William J. Boka
Agency patch
Police Officer

William J. Boka

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department — St. Louis, MO
Accident
United States flag Missouri flag
End of Watch December 28, 1902
The Vigil Panel 18 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 175

Incident

Officer Boka succumbed to injuries received three days earlier, on Christmas Day, when he was run over by a streetcar. He was attempting to board a different streetcar when he slipped an fell onto the track. The following streetcar ran over his leg, mangling it. A passing doctor administered emergency treatment and kept him from bleeding to death. He was transported to a local hospital where his leg was amputated. Despite the efforts of the doctors, Officer Boka succumbed to his injuries. The operator of the streetcar which struck Officer Boka was charged and convicted of culpable negligence.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqhp3cxa0h90jh6mn90y
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Boka served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Boka.

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

Agency

Department St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
Type Police Department
Location St. Louis, City of Saint Louis, MO
Platform Identity stlopd.saintlouis.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 28, 1902
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

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

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
  4. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1902, 17 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 124th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Police Officer William J. Boka

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department · End of Watch December 28, 1902

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W

↑