Sergeant William H. McDermott

William H. McDermott

Sergeant Billy McDermott died as a result of complications from influenza while performing his assigned duties during the Influenza Pandemic.

He was on duty when he became ill and was taken to his home, where he succumbed to his illness three days later. During October 1918, the Perth Amboy Police Department had 14 additional officers contract influenza and were unable to report for duty. They relied on members of the Home Defense League to patrol the area.

Sergeant McDermott served with the Perth Amboy Police Department for 20 years. He was survived by his wife and six children.

Effects of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic on Law Enforcement

Also known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe," the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 to early 1920, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. The effect of the influenza epidemic in the United States was so dire that the average life span in the U.S. fell by twelve years. The four waves of the flu began in March 1918 and ended in April 1920. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job.

The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Influenza Pandemic will likely never be known. Still, ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission never to forget the fallen.

Please click here to view ODMP's Influenza memorial, listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.