Patrolman Anthony Wayne Williams

Anthony Wayne Williams

Patrolman Anthony Williams was shot and killed while off duty when he interrupted an armed robbery at a convenience store at the intersection of West Hillsborough Avenue and Hesperides Street 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, Patrolman 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, Patrolman 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. Both 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 third suspect was sentenced to life.

Patrolman Williams was a Vietnam War Veteran.