William Ganns Memorial

William Ganns

Remembering an Angel - William Ganns

by Kevin Caruso

William Ganns, 18, a senior at Germantown High School in Philadelphia, was an intelligent, talented, handsome, and ambitious young man.

Everyone who knew him said that he was a kind person and had a wonderful sense of humor.

He wanted to be a police officer.

But he made a mistake one day by pretending to be a police officer and was arrested.

The arrest haunted William, and he was afraid that he would never be able to realize his dream of becoming a police officer because of the arrest.

Many people who knew William, including teachers from his high school, wrote letters of support that would be used to help him in court.

But the court appearance never happened.

On April 27, 2004, William hanged himself in the school auditorium

"He was loving and caring. He was a very sweet son. I love him dearly," said Mamie Hamilton, William's mother.

"He was a good brother and it shouldn't have happened and I will miss him," said Kharia Harris, a younger brother.

We will miss you William.