Police Officer William G. McCracken
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Sunday, February 5, 1984
Biographical Info
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: 5491
Unit of assignment: 9th District
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: Sunday, February 5, 1984
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer McCracken collapsed and died inside the 23rd District police station after breaking up a disorderly crowd on Spruce Street near 15th and chasing one suspect. Officer McCracken was a 14-year veteran of the force.
Officer McCracken was survived by his wife and son. (1)
Police Officer McCracken, assigned to the 9th District, collapsed and suffered a heart attack inside of the 9th district station at 1:15am, after dispersing a disorderly crowd at 1500 Market Street, followed by a foot pursuit of a suspect for numerous blocks. He was 37 years-old and served with the Department for 13 years. (2)
W.G. MCCRACKEN, POLICEMAN HERO
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - Tuesday, February 7, 1984
Readability: 6-9 grade level (Lexile: 1050L)
William G. McCracken, 37, a police officer cited for heroism in the 1977 fire that nearly destroyed St. Joseph's Hospital, died there Sunday.
He collapsed at the 22d Police District Station, 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue, because of what appeared to have been a heart attack, fellow officers said. They administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as did Fire Department rescue squad members.
A cardiac-care team at the hospital continued the life-saving efforts but with no success.
Officer McCracken's death surprised the men with whom he worked and played ball. He was at home on sports fields, they said, as a coach and as a player.
He did not seem likely to be felled by a heart problem, they said. However, they conceded that his death would not have surprised them had it come during the fire at St. Joseph's.
In the commendation that was presented to him for heroism, Officer McCracken was cited for his work in the rescue of 170 patients from the hospital's second and third floors during the early stages of a four-alarm fire that swept the building, at 17th Street and Girard Avenue, on Aug. 10, 1977.
Officer McCracken had been assigned to the 22d District. At the time of the fire, he was working from the Ninth District Station, 20th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
The men in both districts called him "the Shah" for his firm-handed supervision of the two-squad softball league and his other sports work. He coached and played; he seemingly was everywhere - active in football and bowling and whatever else came up. His colleagues knew him as a man who made things happen, on and off duty.
He was active in Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police and represented his squad on the board of directors.
Officer McCracken was a past vice president of the Philadelphia Emerald Society, worked with the Archbishop Ryan Fathers Association and the League of the Sacred Heart and was active in the Irish Northern Aid Society.
Surviving are his wife, Kathleen Stanton McCracken; a son, William P.; his mother, Margaret Roy, and a brother.
Friends may call after 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Hollen Funeral Home, Grant Avenue west of Academy Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Calvary Church on Knights Road. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
The Philadelphia Inquirer; Monday, February 6, 1984, Section E Page 2:
"McCRACKEN
Suddenly, Feb. 5, 1984, WILLIAM G., age 37 years, beloved husband of Kathleen (nee Stanton), father of William P., son of Margaret Roy (nee Corry), brother of Joseph Roy. Relatives, friends, members of Phila. Police Dept., 9th District, FOP Lodge No. 5, Emerald Society, Archbishop Ryan's Father Association and Irish Northern Aid Society are invited to funeral Thurs., 8:30 A. M., Hollen Funeral Home, 3160 Grant Ave. (west of Academy Rd.). Christian Burial Service, Our Lady of Calvary Church, 10 A.M. Int. Resurrection Cem. Friends may call Wed. eve. after 7. Family prefers donations to Sunshine Foundation, 5109 Ditman St., Phila., Pa."
Sources:
1. The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. http://www.odmp.org/officer/8870-police-officer-william-g.-mccracken
2. Philadelphia Police Department
3. Social Security Administration
4. Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Sunday, February 5, 1984
Biographical Info
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: 5491
Unit of assignment: 9th District
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: Sunday, February 5, 1984
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer McCracken collapsed and died inside the 23rd District police station after breaking up a disorderly crowd on Spruce Street near 15th and chasing one suspect. Officer McCracken was a 14-year veteran of the force.
Officer McCracken was survived by his wife and son. (1)
Police Officer McCracken, assigned to the 9th District, collapsed and suffered a heart attack inside of the 9th district station at 1:15am, after dispersing a disorderly crowd at 1500 Market Street, followed by a foot pursuit of a suspect for numerous blocks. He was 37 years-old and served with the Department for 13 years. (2)
W.G. MCCRACKEN, POLICEMAN HERO
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - Tuesday, February 7, 1984
Readability: 6-9 grade level (Lexile: 1050L)
William G. McCracken, 37, a police officer cited for heroism in the 1977 fire that nearly destroyed St. Joseph's Hospital, died there Sunday.
He collapsed at the 22d Police District Station, 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue, because of what appeared to have been a heart attack, fellow officers said. They administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as did Fire Department rescue squad members.
A cardiac-care team at the hospital continued the life-saving efforts but with no success.
Officer McCracken's death surprised the men with whom he worked and played ball. He was at home on sports fields, they said, as a coach and as a player.
He did not seem likely to be felled by a heart problem, they said. However, they conceded that his death would not have surprised them had it come during the fire at St. Joseph's.
In the commendation that was presented to him for heroism, Officer McCracken was cited for his work in the rescue of 170 patients from the hospital's second and third floors during the early stages of a four-alarm fire that swept the building, at 17th Street and Girard Avenue, on Aug. 10, 1977.
Officer McCracken had been assigned to the 22d District. At the time of the fire, he was working from the Ninth District Station, 20th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
The men in both districts called him "the Shah" for his firm-handed supervision of the two-squad softball league and his other sports work. He coached and played; he seemingly was everywhere - active in football and bowling and whatever else came up. His colleagues knew him as a man who made things happen, on and off duty.
He was active in Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police and represented his squad on the board of directors.
Officer McCracken was a past vice president of the Philadelphia Emerald Society, worked with the Archbishop Ryan Fathers Association and the League of the Sacred Heart and was active in the Irish Northern Aid Society.
Surviving are his wife, Kathleen Stanton McCracken; a son, William P.; his mother, Margaret Roy, and a brother.
Friends may call after 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Hollen Funeral Home, Grant Avenue west of Academy Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Calvary Church on Knights Road. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
The Philadelphia Inquirer; Monday, February 6, 1984, Section E Page 2:
"McCRACKEN
Suddenly, Feb. 5, 1984, WILLIAM G., age 37 years, beloved husband of Kathleen (nee Stanton), father of William P., son of Margaret Roy (nee Corry), brother of Joseph Roy. Relatives, friends, members of Phila. Police Dept., 9th District, FOP Lodge No. 5, Emerald Society, Archbishop Ryan's Father Association and Irish Northern Aid Society are invited to funeral Thurs., 8:30 A. M., Hollen Funeral Home, 3160 Grant Ave. (west of Academy Rd.). Christian Burial Service, Our Lady of Calvary Church, 10 A.M. Int. Resurrection Cem. Friends may call Wed. eve. after 7. Family prefers donations to Sunshine Foundation, 5109 Ditman St., Phila., Pa."
Sources:
1. The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. http://www.odmp.org/officer/8870-police-officer-william-g.-mccracken
2. Philadelphia Police Department
3. Social Security Administration
4. Philadelphia Inquirer
Police Officer William G. McCracken
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Sunday, February 5, 1984
Biographical Info
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: 5491
Unit of assignment: 9th District
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: Sunday, February 5, 1984
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer McCracken collapsed and died inside the 23rd District police station after breaking up a disorderly crowd on Spruce Street near 15th and chasing one suspect. Officer McCracken was a 14-year veteran of the force.
Officer McCracken was survived by his wife and son. (1)
Police Officer McCracken, assigned to the 9th District, collapsed and suffered a heart attack inside of the 9th district station at 1:15am, after dispersing a disorderly crowd at 1500 Market Street, followed by a foot pursuit of a suspect for numerous blocks. He was 37 years-old and served with the Department for 13 years. (2)
W.G. MCCRACKEN, POLICEMAN HERO
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - Tuesday, February 7, 1984
Readability: 6-9 grade level (Lexile: 1050L)
William G. McCracken, 37, a police officer cited for heroism in the 1977 fire that nearly destroyed St. Joseph's Hospital, died there Sunday.
He collapsed at the 22d Police District Station, 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue, because of what appeared to have been a heart attack, fellow officers said. They administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as did Fire Department rescue squad members.
A cardiac-care team at the hospital continued the life-saving efforts but with no success.
Officer McCracken's death surprised the men with whom he worked and played ball. He was at home on sports fields, they said, as a coach and as a player.
He did not seem likely to be felled by a heart problem, they said. However, they conceded that his death would not have surprised them had it come during the fire at St. Joseph's.
In the commendation that was presented to him for heroism, Officer McCracken was cited for his work in the rescue of 170 patients from the hospital's second and third floors during the early stages of a four-alarm fire that swept the building, at 17th Street and Girard Avenue, on Aug. 10, 1977.
Officer McCracken had been assigned to the 22d District. At the time of the fire, he was working from the Ninth District Station, 20th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
The men in both districts called him "the Shah" for his firm-handed supervision of the two-squad softball league and his other sports work. He coached and played; he seemingly was everywhere - active in football and bowling and whatever else came up. His colleagues knew him as a man who made things happen, on and off duty.
He was active in Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police and represented his squad on the board of directors.
Officer McCracken was a past vice president of the Philadelphia Emerald Society, worked with the Archbishop Ryan Fathers Association and the League of the Sacred Heart and was active in the Irish Northern Aid Society.
Surviving are his wife, Kathleen Stanton McCracken; a son, William P.; his mother, Margaret Roy, and a brother.
Friends may call after 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Hollen Funeral Home, Grant Avenue west of Academy Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Calvary Church on Knights Road. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
The Philadelphia Inquirer; Monday, February 6, 1984, Section E Page 2:
"McCRACKEN
Suddenly, Feb. 5, 1984, WILLIAM G., age 37 years, beloved husband of Kathleen (nee Stanton), father of William P., son of Margaret Roy (nee Corry), brother of Joseph Roy. Relatives, friends, members of Phila. Police Dept., 9th District, FOP Lodge No. 5, Emerald Society, Archbishop Ryan's Father Association and Irish Northern Aid Society are invited to funeral Thurs., 8:30 A. M., Hollen Funeral Home, 3160 Grant Ave. (west of Academy Rd.). Christian Burial Service, Our Lady of Calvary Church, 10 A.M. Int. Resurrection Cem. Friends may call Wed. eve. after 7. Family prefers donations to Sunshine Foundation, 5109 Ditman St., Phila., Pa."
Sources:
1. The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. http://www.odmp.org/officer/8870-police-officer-william-g.-mccracken
2. Philadelphia Police Department
3. Social Security Administration
4. Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Police Department
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Sunday, February 5, 1984
Biographical Info
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: 5491
Unit of assignment: 9th District
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: Sunday, February 5, 1984
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer McCracken collapsed and died inside the 23rd District police station after breaking up a disorderly crowd on Spruce Street near 15th and chasing one suspect. Officer McCracken was a 14-year veteran of the force.
Officer McCracken was survived by his wife and son. (1)
Police Officer McCracken, assigned to the 9th District, collapsed and suffered a heart attack inside of the 9th district station at 1:15am, after dispersing a disorderly crowd at 1500 Market Street, followed by a foot pursuit of a suspect for numerous blocks. He was 37 years-old and served with the Department for 13 years. (2)
W.G. MCCRACKEN, POLICEMAN HERO
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - Tuesday, February 7, 1984
Readability: 6-9 grade level (Lexile: 1050L)
William G. McCracken, 37, a police officer cited for heroism in the 1977 fire that nearly destroyed St. Joseph's Hospital, died there Sunday.
He collapsed at the 22d Police District Station, 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue, because of what appeared to have been a heart attack, fellow officers said. They administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as did Fire Department rescue squad members.
A cardiac-care team at the hospital continued the life-saving efforts but with no success.
Officer McCracken's death surprised the men with whom he worked and played ball. He was at home on sports fields, they said, as a coach and as a player.
He did not seem likely to be felled by a heart problem, they said. However, they conceded that his death would not have surprised them had it come during the fire at St. Joseph's.
In the commendation that was presented to him for heroism, Officer McCracken was cited for his work in the rescue of 170 patients from the hospital's second and third floors during the early stages of a four-alarm fire that swept the building, at 17th Street and Girard Avenue, on Aug. 10, 1977.
Officer McCracken had been assigned to the 22d District. At the time of the fire, he was working from the Ninth District Station, 20th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
The men in both districts called him "the Shah" for his firm-handed supervision of the two-squad softball league and his other sports work. He coached and played; he seemingly was everywhere - active in football and bowling and whatever else came up. His colleagues knew him as a man who made things happen, on and off duty.
He was active in Lodge 5 of the Fraternal Order of Police and represented his squad on the board of directors.
Officer McCracken was a past vice president of the Philadelphia Emerald Society, worked with the Archbishop Ryan Fathers Association and the League of the Sacred Heart and was active in the Irish Northern Aid Society.
Surviving are his wife, Kathleen Stanton McCracken; a son, William P.; his mother, Margaret Roy, and a brother.
Friends may call after 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Hollen Funeral Home, Grant Avenue west of Academy Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Calvary Church on Knights Road. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
The Philadelphia Inquirer; Monday, February 6, 1984, Section E Page 2:
"McCRACKEN
Suddenly, Feb. 5, 1984, WILLIAM G., age 37 years, beloved husband of Kathleen (nee Stanton), father of William P., son of Margaret Roy (nee Corry), brother of Joseph Roy. Relatives, friends, members of Phila. Police Dept., 9th District, FOP Lodge No. 5, Emerald Society, Archbishop Ryan's Father Association and Irish Northern Aid Society are invited to funeral Thurs., 8:30 A. M., Hollen Funeral Home, 3160 Grant Ave. (west of Academy Rd.). Christian Burial Service, Our Lady of Calvary Church, 10 A.M. Int. Resurrection Cem. Friends may call Wed. eve. after 7. Family prefers donations to Sunshine Foundation, 5109 Ditman St., Phila., Pa."
Sources:
1. The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. http://www.odmp.org/officer/8870-police-officer-william-g.-mccracken
2. Philadelphia Police Department
3. Social Security Administration
4. Philadelphia Inquirer
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