The Wilmington Police Department honors the memory of those members of our agency who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the City of Wilmington. On an annual basis, the department holds a Memorial Ceremony to honor the nine men and one woman who have died in the line of duty while serving the department.

Officer John F. Baylis—End of Watch 09/09/1863

Officer Baylis, 50, was shot and killed on September 9, 1863, at 0930 hours, while trying to arrest a man for a breach of peace at a home near 6^th and Madison Streets. During the arrest, the suspect shot Officer Baylis twice. Officer Baylis was the first police officer to be killed in the line of duty in the state of Delaware. He was survived by his wife and seven children and is interred at Old Swedes Churchyard.

Officer Andrew T. Peterson—End of Watch 06/27/1885

Officer Peterson, 45, was shot and killed on June 27, 1885, at 1730 hours, near Officer Peterson’s home at Front and Broome Streets. Officer Peterson had come to the aid of the man’s wife, as the man was beating and threatening to kill her. It was just three days before the expiration of his term as a police officer.  He was survived by his wife and young children and is interred at Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery.

Officer Charles W. Schultz—End of Watch 01/30/1891

Officer Shultz, 37, was shot on January 29, 1891, at 0020 hours, at Elliott Avenue and Tatnall Street, while attempting to question two men who matched the description of theft suspects. He died the next day. Officer Shultz had served the Department for two years. His assailants were never identified or found. He was survived by his wife and five children and is interred at Cathedral Cemetery.

Patrolman Francis X. Tierney—End of Watch 03/06/1915

Patrolman Tierney, 32, was shot and killed on March 6, 1915, at 1225 hours, at 6^th and Market Streets. He and three other officers, who were also shot, were attempting to arrest two suspicious men who were pawning watches. Patrolman Tierney had served the Department for only four months. He was survived by his fiancé and is interred at Cathedral Cemetery.

Patrolman Thomas L. Zebley—End of Watch 11/13/1919

Patrolman Zebley, 42, was shot and killed on the morning of November 13, 1919, at 818 East 8^th Street. He and another officer, also shot, were attempting to serve warrants on two suspects who were discharging firearms on a crowded street corner. Patrolman Zebley had served the Department for eleven years. The day of his funeral, the bells of every firehouse tolled in his honor. He was a widower with no living children and is interred at Riverview Cemetery.

Matron Mary T. Davis—End of Watch 05/11/1924

Matron Davis, 67, was brutally beaten to death by a female prisoner in the Wilmington jail at 10^th and King Streets, on the night of May 11, 1924.  The prisoner was attempting an escape. Matron Davis had served the Department for fourteen years.  She was survived by her four children and is interred at Mount Salem Cemetery.

Patrolman Howard P. Atwell—End of Watch 06/29/1926

Patrolman Atwell, 40, was killed on his motorcycle, in pursuit of a vehicle, on June 29, 1926, at 2000 hours, at Concord Avenue and Washington Street. A carpenter by trade, he built many of the traffic boxes and street signs in use at the time. Patrolman Atwell served the Department for eleven years.  He was survived by his wife and two sons and is interred at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Patrolman Milton A. Wimbrow—End of Watch 12/31/1931

Patrolman Wimbrow, 30, was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident, in pursuit of a vehicle, on the night of December 28, 1931, at 29th and Market Streets. He succumbed to his injuries three days later. Patrolman Wimbrow served the Department for a little over one year.  He was survived by his wife and two daughters and is interred at Riverview Cemetery.

Patrolman Willard E. Pruitt, Jr.—End of Watch 07/07/1944

Patrolman Pruitt, 31, while on routine patrol, was killed on his motorcycle at 1400 hours on July 7, 1944, at 30^th and Monroe Streets.  The striking vehicle had disregarded a traffic sign. Patrolman Pruitt had served the Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and three children and is interred at Riverview Cemetery.

Detective Thomas P. Conaty, Jr.—End of Watch 12/26/1946

Detective Conaty, 30, was shot and killed on December 26, 1946, at 0300 hours, at 7^th and King Streets, while apprehending a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old for the burglary of pistols and ammunition from a nearby store. Detective Conaty had served the Department for six years. He was survived by his wife and three children and is interred at Cathedral Cemetery.