WT
U.S. Navy · United States 
William Talbert
2012
William Dewitt Talbert served the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Natural
Cause
Natural disease, unspecified
Mechanism
Motor vehicle
Duty related illness
What Happened
Police Officer Bill Talbert died as the result of contracting Hepatitis C.
He contracted the disease following a blood transfusion after being struck by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop on June 30th, 1983. He was standing between his patrol car and another vehicle when a drunk driver struck one of the vehicles, causing Officer Talbert to be pinned between them. He was transported to a local hospital where he underwent a blood transfusion. It was discovered later that the blood he received was infected with Hepatitis C.
He was forced to medically retire in 1984 and his health continued to deteriorate until he passed away on January 27th, 2012.
Officer Talbert was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Montgomery County Police Department for 13 years when he was forced to retire. He is survived by his wife, daughter, three sons, ten grandchildren, and sister. One of his sons went on to serve with the Maryland State Police.
He contracted the disease following a blood transfusion after being struck by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop on June 30th, 1983. He was standing between his patrol car and another vehicle when a drunk driver struck one of the vehicles, causing Officer Talbert to be pinned between them. He was transported to a local hospital where he underwent a blood transfusion. It was discovered later that the blood he received was infected with Hepatitis C.
He was forced to medically retire in 1984 and his health continued to deteriorate until he passed away on January 27th, 2012.
Officer Talbert was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Montgomery County Police Department for 13 years when he was forced to retire. He is survived by his wife, daughter, three sons, ten grandchildren, and sister. One of his sons went on to serve with the Maryland State Police.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, three sons, ten grandchildren, and sister.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Also Served
Montgomery County Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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