Detective George L. Williams
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, January 9, 1918

Biographical Info
Age: 44
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, January 9, 1918
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed

Detective George Williams was shot and killed in a gun battle with five men at 16th and South streets. Detective Williams, the city’s only black detective, came upon a fracas in a bar and was trying to arrest the men when one opened fire on him.

Detective Williams had been a star of the Cuban Giants of the Negro Baseball League. He was the first black officer killed in the line of duty.

The principal killer in this case, a 22-year year old black male named Samuel Coles, was executed for the crime on November 1, 1920.

Detective Williams was survived by his wife and five children.