Detective William Sullivan.
By Irish Echo Staff
The Yonkers Police Department, and the entire city of Yonkers, has lost one of its finest to Covid-19.
Detective First Grade William Sullivan, married and a father of two, died in hospital on April 11. He was only 54.
Here below is a memorial posting from the Yonkers Police Department.
William James Sullivan Jr. was born in the City of Yonkers on July 27, 1965 to William and Marie (Grady) Sullivan. Billy's Irish roots traced back to his great grandparents from the Ireland counties of Cork and Leitrim. As a youth he grew up on Nodine Hill at 75 Spruce Street, attended local schools and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. Following school Bill began working for the family business, the Sullivan & Sons Building Materials and Fuel Oil Co. which was located at 574 Yonkers Avenue. He would work there for many years as a Customer Service Manager.
Apparently Bill knew he wanted to be a police officer early on because in the early 1980's he started working as a "Park Ranger" for the Westchester County Police Dept. It was what used to be called County Parkway Specials, and they were seasonal employees for various parks. He completed extensive training for this job, including Firearms, First Aide, EDP's, etc., very similar to the state MPTC training and was certified as a "Peace officer." He loved this job and they continued to hire him every year for almost a dozen years.
Bill Sullivan was an imposing figure standing 6' and weighing 200 Lbs but was as soft spoken and friendly as you could imagine. Bill was a big guy but he could really move. He loved ice hockey and spent several years playing in the sport. In fact, he actually received a concussion one year on the ice but recovered completely.
But again, Bill wanted to be a police officer. He took the test, and was on the appointment list for, NYPD, Westchester County PD, Rockland County PD, Dutchess County PD, White Plains PD, New Rochelle PD and...Yonkers NY PD. Yonkers reached out first. We were lucky.
William J. Sullivan was appointed to the Yonkers NY Police Department on February 3, 1995, just shy of 30 years of age, and earning a salary of $30,000 per year. At the time he lived at 211 Cerrato Lane. Assigned shield #893, Bill attended and graduated from the Westchester County Police Academy. Following his recruit training Police Officer William Sullivan was assigned to uniform patrol duty in the 4th precinct. Being a bit older than the typical recruit Bill had no trouble assimilating into police work due to his many years of semi police work as a county Park Ranger.
Being the friendly outgoing personality Bill was, he became everyone's friend. He served as a mentor to the younger officers and was admired by his co-workers there in his beloved 4th precinct. His popularity led him to be elected as the 4th precinct trustee for several years and later was elected as the Sergeant at Arms and Board member of the PBA.
After nearly ten years in the 4th pct on patrol Bill was advanced to Detective on September 21, 2004 carrying "the gold shield" #693 and assigned to the Detective Division. Once again with his warm intelligent yet unpretentious demeanor, he was able to excel in dealing with victims and suspects alike. As a result he was assigned to the Major Case Squad. He had an incredible way of relating to people which made him the excellent detective he was.
After serving in Major Case for 8 years Det. Sullivan was transferred to the departments Intelligence Unit on January 31, 2013. Bill never had an ego problem. He could comfortably speak with a police chief or a homeless person with the same interest, enthusiasm and smile.
Det. Sullivan was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Friendly Son's of St. Patrick (Westchester), a proud member of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester who recognized him numerous times over the years with various awards. He had supported and attended every St. Patrick's Day Parade since he joined the YPD and even earlier than that. In 2017 he was honored by being asked to be an aide to the St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshall.
Bill was very active in the PBA and helped organize just about every function and was a proud member of the PBA. Bill and his wife Eileen had been married for over 29 years and had two children; Jacqueline and William the third. Being very much a family man he often would talk about his family and their vacations or other activities. Bill and his wife Eileen were filled with pride as they watched their son, William, be sworn in as a member of the Yonkers Police Dept. and be assigned his fathers original police shield, #893.
Sadly, in April of 2020 Det. William Sullivan contracted a deadly viral disease in the performance of duty, fought hard to overcome it, but died in the hospital as a result on April 11, 2020. He was only 54 years of age.
The following day Shonnard place, opposite the 4th precinct, where Bill began his career, was completely lined with police officers and others paying their respects as Bill was given his last ride. The hearse and cortege were led by the entire Yonkers PD Traffic Unit on their motorcycles. Members of the Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester solemnly played the funeral dirge.
Det. First Grade William James Sullivan #693 was going "home."
