Officer William Boka succumbed to injuries received three days earlier, on Christmas Day, when he was run over by a streetcar.

On December 25, 1902, Officer Boka was attempting to board a streetcar on Olive Street at Channing Avenue when he slipped an fell onto the track. The following streetcar ran over his leg, mangling it. A passing doctor administered emergency treatment and kept him from bleeding to death. He was transported to City Hospital where his leg was amputated. Despite the efforts of the doctors, Officer Boka succumbed to his injuries at City Hospital three days later on December 28, 1902.

Nelson Healy, the operator of the streetcar that ran over Officer Boka, was charged and convicted of culpable negligence in the streetcar's operation. Interred: Mount Olive Catholic Cemetery, Lemay, MO.