In the late summer of 1908, a dedicated patrolman lost his life in the line of duty. William S. Winningder, a 54-year-old male officer with the Portsmouth Police Department, was responding to a domestic disturbance on August 11th. He was in the process of arresting a man who was wanted for beating his wife in front of a residence at 315 Glasgow Street.
During the attempt to take the suspect into custody, a struggle ensued. The man managed to overpower Winningder, gaining control of the officer's own service revolver. The suspect then fired the weapon, shooting Patrolman Winningder twice. The injuries proved to be fatal, and he died at the scene.
The man who shot Winningder fled after the incident. It is not publicly known if the suspect was ever identified or apprehended by law enforcement in the aftermath of the shooting. The case, therefore, leaves an open question regarding whether justice was ever served for the violent death of Patrolman Winningder.
