Police Officer William P. Staples

William P. Staples

Police Officer William Staples and Officer John Lonergan were shot and killed by a suspect who had been annoying young women.

When the call came in, Officers Staples and Lonergan responded and attempted to arrest the subject on Harris Avenue. Unexpectedly, the subject ran into a nearby yard and turned and fired, killing Officer Staples with shots to the throat and chest.

Officer Lonergan, joined by another patrolman, continued to pursue the suspect who ran toward a neighboring house on Autumn Street and, upon approaching the house, turned and shot Officer Lonergan in the abdomen. The officer, while mortally injured, continued to fire in the direction of the fleeing suspect. The suspect forced his way into a house, forcing the occupant out. The suspect then began shooting at responding patrolmen through the windows of the home. When the shooting stopped, police officers carefully entered the home and located the suspect hiding in a closet. When he refused to give himself up, they fired into the closet, causing him to surrender.

Officer Lonergan was rushed to Whidden Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds five days later.

The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. The suspect was declared insane and sent to an insane asylum.

Officer Staples was a United States Coast Guard veteran and had served with the Everett Police Department for 15 years. He was survived by his wife and five children.