On the late afternoon of January 16, 1980, Philadelphia Police Officer William Washington responded to a domestic disturbance in the 2200 block of South Bonaffon Terrace. The 30-year-old Black/African American officer, a nine-year veteran of the force and a United States Army veteran who served in Vietnam, approached the home at about 5:00 p.m. and was struck by a rifle shot fired from a second-floor window. He was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Other officers at the scene arrested a 34-year-old man who had assaulted his wife and children and then barricaded himself in the residence. That man had prior attempted murder convictions in 1969 and 1971 and was later convicted of Officer Washington’s murder and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Washington was engaged to be married and was survived by his parents and sister.

Did anyone in the community have contact with Officer Washington or information about the incident that hasn’t been shared?