Detective Lieutenant William L. Foulks, age 38, was a dedicated officer of the Cleveland Police Department. On September 29, 1900, he tragically lost his life during a violent confrontation between striking union molders and non-union workers who had been brought in to replace them. Foulks, who was originally from Canton, Ohio, had joined the Cleveland Police Department in 1897 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1899.
The fatal incident occurred when Detective Foulks and his partner, Detective Parker, heard gunshots and ran towards the commotion. Foulks, described as a big and powerful man, immediately grappled with one of the strikers, Charles Peck, and took him to the ground. During the struggle, Foulks' revolver fell from his holster, and Peck seized the opportunity to grab the weapon and shoot Foulks.
Several men were arrested in connection with the incident, but Charles Peck was the only one charged with Foulks' murder. Peck claimed that he did not know Foulks was a police officer, as Foulks was in plain clothes, and he was acting in self-defense. At the trial, Peck was acquitted of the murder charges.
Detective Foulks was survived by his wife, Alpha, and their six children: Daisy, Shannon, Lee, Roy, Lucile, and William Jr. A Masonic funeral service was held for him on October 3, 1900, at his residence on Marcy Avenue in Cleveland. His body was then transported to Moultrie Cemetery in Columbiana County, Ohio, for burial.
Detective Foulks' name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., honoring his ultimate sacrifice. His legacy lives on as a testament to his dedication and bravery in the line of duty.
