50th Remembrance Ceremony Officer Anthony Williams

Officer Anthony Williams was shot and killed while off duty when he interrupted an armed robbery at a convenience store in Tampa.

A reserve deputy from a neighboring agency was in the back room, waiting to make an arrest attempt.

The reserve deputy hid in the back room when he noticed a robbery was going to happen. At the same time, Officer Williams, who was off duty, arrived at the scene with his wife, also a Tampa police officer and who was still in uniform, after getting off duty. As she stayed in the car with their 4-year-old son, Officer Williams attempted to enter the store when he saw the robbery taking place. He yelled to his wife to toss him her service revolver. As he retrieved the revolver, the gunman stepped out and shot him. As the gunman ran, Officer Williams’ wife retrieved her revolver and shot him in the buttocks.

The reserve deputy shot and killed a second suspect as he ran out the door and then took custody of the third suspect. The suspects were charged with murder and robbery.

The 22-year-old gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1991 his sentence was commuted to life. As of November 22nd, 2020, he was still in prison.  The other suspect was sentenced to life.

Patrolman Williams was a Vietnam War Veteran, he was survived by his wife and young son.