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City correctional officer dies after motorcycle crash in Northeast Philly

Sgt. Devon Williams was on his way to work when his motorcycle crashed on the 4300 block of Cottman Avenue, officials said.

The Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, where Sgt. Devon Williams worked as a staff deployment supervisor.
The Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, where Sgt. Devon Williams worked as a staff deployment supervisor.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
    by Robert Moran
    Updated 
    Published 

A 40-year-old Philadelphia correctional officer died after his motorcycle crashed as he was riding to work Friday morning, officials said.

Sgt. Devon Williams was riding on the 4300 block of Cottman Avenue when his motorcycle crashed around 6:45 a.m. He was transported to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Michael R. Resnick, commissioner of the city Department of Prisons, said in a message to his staff that Williams “served with honor.”

Williams began his career with the prisons department on July 11, 2016, and first worked at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, Resnick said. Williams was promoted to sergeant on April 1, 2024.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for the department and for all who had the privilege of working alongside him. Sergeant Williams served with honor, and his passing will be deeply felt throughout our facilities and across the entire [Philadelphia Department of Prisons] family,” Resnick said.

In a phone interview, Resnick said the cause of the crash was under investigation by Philadelphia police.

When the crash happened, Resnick said, Williams was about five minutes away from his job at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, where he worked as a staff deployment supervisor.

Greg Boulware, president of AFSCME District Council 33, issued a statement on the death of Williams.

“Sgt. Williams served with dedication, courage, and pride. He showed up for his coworkers, for the people of Philadelphia, and for the department he helped [to] hold together through some of its hardest days. His sudden loss leaves a void that cannot be filled,” Boulware said.

On Friday night, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker honored Williams in a social media post.

“A grateful City extends its deepest condolences to Sergeant Williams’ family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time,” the mayor said.