Badge:  P455
Age:  24
Served:  1½ years
July 1, 1950 to October 17, 1951

Walter Williams served in the United States Army Air Force during the second world war.  He was honorably discharged as a corporal on December 1, 1948, and moved into 1723 Central Avenue.  He became a Cincinnati Police Recruit on July 1, 1950, successfully completed Recruit School, was promoted to Patrolman, and assigned to District 7.

On October 17, 1951, at 2:30 a.m., Patrolman Williams, was operating a 1950 Chevrolet Coupe in District 7 west on Laidlaw Avenue.  Victor Heinrick (28), of 114 South Main Street, Sharonville, drove a 1951 Ford sedan northbound on Paddock Road.  The two collided at the intersection.  Patrolman Williams suffered a skull fracture and broken neck.  Patrolman Miley, Highway Safety Bureau, transported him to General Hospital where, at 3 a.m., Doctor Keerle pronounced his death from multiple body injuries and traumatic shock.  Heinrick was also killed in the collision. 

Patrolman Williams was survived by his mother Pearl and buried in Vine Street Cemetery on October 20, 1951.  

During 1995, the Cincinnati Police Planning Section discovered Cincinnati Municipal Code Section 306-40 directing that “the badge and badge number of any police officer who is killed in the line of duty or active military duty shall be retired from use by the Cincinnati Police Division.”   Cincinnati Police Chief Michael C. Snowden determined to surrender badges going back to 1950, including those currently issued to police officers on a voluntary basis.  Police Officer Bonnie Kreimer was assigned Patrolman Williams’ badge number.  She voluntarily surrendered her badge and the Police Division retired No. 455.

If you have further information, artifacts, or pictures of this officer, please contact the Museum Director at Director@GCPHS.com.