Officer William Sheahan drowned after he accidentally fell into the Mississippi River, at the foot of Madison Street, at approximately 8:30 pm.

He had been assigned to prevent accidents and keep the peace for passengers on excursion boats leaving the wharf. As the steamer City of Vicksburg was preparing to pull out Officer Sheahan stepped back and fell into the river's swift current. He was pulled underneath the boat and drowned despite several attempts to rescue him.

His body was recovered two days later near the foot of Tyler Street.

Officer Sheahan was survived by his wife and four children. Interred: Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum.