Police Officer William T. Birch

Police Officer William T. Birch | Fort Lee Police Department, New Jersey
Fort Lee Police Department, New Jersey
Police Officer William T. Birch

Fort Lee Police Department, New Jersey

End of Watch Sunday, September 4, 1966

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William T. Birch

Police Officer Billy Birch was shot and killed when he responded to a holdup alarm at the Riviera Hotel on Route 4 West at 12:45 am.

As he arrived on the scene, one of the two subjects exited the hotel lobby and shot Officer Birch three times, killing him. The suspect then abducted a couple at gunpoint and forced them to drive away. The suspect was arrested a short time later after a shootout with officers. The man he abducted also assisted with the arrest as he was armed at the time he was abducted.

The second suspect was also apprehended after a shootout with officers. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Birch's killer, who was on parole in Texas on a conviction of assault with intent to murder, was sentenced to death but had the sentence commuted to life in prison in 1972 when the death penalty was abolished. The man was paroled in 1982. In January 2005, at the age of 79, the suspect was arrested in Massachusetts for attempting to sell a handgun to an informant while bragging that he killed a police officer in New Jersey and got away with serving only 15 years. He was returned to prison in New Jersey for violating his parole. He died in prison 2 years later.

Officer Birch had served with the Fort Lee Police Department for just over two years. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.

Bio

  • Age 26
  • Tour 2 years, 6 months
  • Badge 134

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
  • Offender Died in prison

parolee, robbery

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My Dad, John Orso and Billy Birch were partners on the FLPD. I remember Billy coming in the morning to pick up my Dad for work. My sister, Mary Rose would be sitting in the high chair in the kitchen and I would be hiding behind the chair waiting for Billy to come into the house. He always had a smile and would greet us with a big "Hello".
Billy's name to us was "Billy Birch" not just "Billy! He was the nicest guy.
I remember the day Billy was shot. Dad had taken off the weekend and was with us at the Lake . Since there were no phones, a police officer from down in the valley had to come up to the house and tell my dad what happened. That was the first time and one of the only times I saw my Dad crying. He immediately left for Fort Lee. It was such a very sad day. My dad kept Billy's memorial card next to him on his bedside and in his office even when he became Chief of Police. My Dad was 90 when he died. He NEVER forgot Billy. I was only 6 years old but will never forget Billy Birch and what he meant to all of us. God Bless his wife and daughters. Jean Orso

Jeanmarie Orso
My Dad was Billy's partner.

December 16, 2024

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