Memorial to William E. Yetton

End of Watch: November 9, 1908
Rank: Officer, Badge No. 384
Age: 43    Years of Service: 16
Location of Death: Benning Road and 21st Streets, NE
Duty Assignment: Ninth Precinct 

Circumstance:
Officer William Yetton was killed when his horse was spooked by a passing wagon at 15th Street and Florida Avenue. He fell off his horse and struck his head on the curb.

Mounted Officer Yetton was responding to the station for check off, when his horse became frightened by a passing wagon. The horse fell to the pavement, causing Officer Yetton to hit his head on the curb. He was taken to Casualty Hospital where he died four hours later. Officer Yetton was buried at Glenwood Cemetery.

Biography:

Officer Yetton, a native of England, was a veteran of the British Army and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 16 years. He was survived by his wife and three children. He was buried in Glenwood Cemetery.

Articles from the Washington Post – transcribed by Dave Richardson, MPD/Ret.

THE DEATH OF OFFICER WILLIAM E. YETTON ON NOVEMBER 9, 1908. ALSO INCLUDED IS AN INCIDENT HE WAS INVOLVED IN DURING HIS EARLY CAREER.
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED JULY 16, 1897, PAGE 2

Prisoner’s Bite Proves Serious
During a fight in Glick’s alley, July 5, Policeman William E. Yetton was severely bitten by Victoria Robinson, a colored woman, and it is now feared that blood poisoning may result from the wounds. Another officer had arrested a woman in the alley, and been assaulted by the woman. The distress call was sounded, and Officer Yetton was one of the first to respond.

He grabbed the Robinson woman, who was making a vicious assault on a policeman. The woman turned, and buried her teeth in his hand, and inflicted several other wounds. Yetton has been too sick to report for duty for several days, and much anxiety is expressed by his fellow officers.

******************************************************************************

WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED NOVEMBER 10, 1908, PAGE 2
FALL KILLS POLICEMAN
Mounted Officer Yetton Suffers Fractured Skull
WET STREET THROWS HORSE

Animal Slips to Knees and Rider, in Attempt to Remove Feet From the Stirrups, Is Hurled Against Curbstone. Death Follows in Hospital—Bluecoat Served With Credit 18 Years.

Mounted Policeman William E. Yetton, of the Ninth Precinct, was thrown from his saddle yesterday afternoon, when his horse stumbled and fell, and received a compound fracture of the skull. He died three hours later at Casualty Hospital.

Yetton was returning to the station about 4 o’clock, when his horse became frightened at a wagon and shied. The street was slippery, and the animal fell to its knees. Yetton attempted to remove his feet from the stirrups, and in so doing fell from the saddle, striking his head against the curbing.

When picked up he was unconscious. He was removed to a nearby drug store. Later the Ninth precinct ambulance took him to Casualty Hospital. Drs. Moffitt and Conklin worked over the injured man for several hours, but were unable to do much for him. An operation was performed at 7 o’clock, and half an hour later Yetton died.

Was a Reliable Officer.
Yetton was detailed in the Ninth precinct only about six months, he having served more than 15 years in the Eighth precinct. He was regarded as one of the best and most reliable men on the force, and on several occasions was publicly commended for his services. He did duty on Benning Road.

Officer Yetton was a native of England, and was 42 years of age. He came to this country when a youth, and settled in this city. He was a veterinarian, and followed this profession until he was appointed to the police force about eighteen years ago. He was married twice, and a wife and three children survive. He lived at 1751 Eighth Street, NW, and was a member of several fraternal organizations.

No funeral arrangements have been made.

******************************************************************************

WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE DATED DECEMBER 8, 1908, PAGE 5
WIDOW TO GET PENSION.

Policeman’s Son Also Recommended for an Allowance.

The police pension board has recommended that Mrs. Inez B. Yetton, widow of Private William E. Yetton, of the Metropolitan police department, who died November 9, from disease (?) contracted while on duty, be granted a pension of $25. A month during her widowhood, and that Edwin S. Yetton, their son, be given a monthly pension of $10 until he is 16 years old.

This has been approved by both Commissioner West and Maj. Sylvester.