Police Officer Anthony C. Williams

Anthony and I attended Joyce Elementary School on Detroit’s east side. I think in the 4th maybe 5th grade we put together a booklet of photographs and articles for a class project. Our names are stenciled on the booklet cover page. I still have it to this day.

After elementary school my family moved to the west side. In 1985, after becoming a Detroit firefighter, I received a phone call from Anthony. Granted we hadn’t talk to each other since elementary school. He called to congratulate me on joining the fire department. He welcomed me to the public safety family. He informed me that he was a Detroit police officer for about 6 years.

We had a good long laugh, reminiscing. We both couldn’t believe that we ended up on the same team. I told him that I was very proud of him. I was especially proud that at such a young age of 21, he made the commitment to become a Detroit police officer. We planned to get together but we didn’t have the opportunity to do so.

While on duty at the firehouse, the news of a Detroit police officer being shot was reported. I was devastated to learn that the officer was my friend Anthony Williams.

It was tough that day on duty, knowing that my friend was gone. But at the same time not able to accept it and understand why it had to happen.

For the next 25years with the Detroit fire department I worked as a firefighter, inspector, arson investigator and administrator. During my public safety career and even now in my post career life, I often remember Anthony. He was and is an inspiration. He was a great man. I picked up on his sense of caring and love for other people, even when we were in elementary school.

I’m honored to have had this chance to talk about and remember my friend Anthony Williams. I will always remember him and the sacrifice he made in serving our city. Love you Anthony.

Seth Doyle Iii
Detroit Fire Department

July 17, 2021