Springfield Police Officer Porter Williams directs traffic, 1916 (Sangamon Valley Collection)
Porter Williams held the rank of detective sergeant in the Springfield Police Department when he was shot to death during rioting by coal miners on Sept. 25, 1932. Williams’ killer was never identified.
The Springfield Police Department now sponsors the annual Porter Williams Award, given for a distinguished act of bravery or heroism by a police officer.
Original content copyright Sangamon County Historical Society. You are free to republish this content as long as credit is given to the Society.