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Incident
Correctional Officer Paul Rast was fatally injured when he was strangled and beaten by two juvenile inmates at the Adobe Mountain Juvenile Facility. Officer Rast was attacked after he had gone to the inmates' cottage to see why they had not reported for a work detail. He died in a Phoenix hospital two days later. The inmates, ages 15 and 17, were charged with voluntary manslaughter. On February 4th, 1976, the charges were dismissed due to a lack of evidence. Both inmates had very lengthy records that included robbery, auto theft, burglary, assault, and shoplifting. The 15-year-old had also fatally stabbed another youth. Officer Raft had served with the Arizona Department of Corrections for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Rast gave the Arizona Department of Corrections 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arizona. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Rast.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Arizona Department of Corrections has lost 10 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Paul is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Paul is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1975, 1 officer at Arizona Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 2.
In 1975, 4 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Paul was 38. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Arizona Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 38; the middle age was 37. Paul had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Paul was 38. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Paul had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Paul was 38. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Paul had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Paul had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 40% of these deaths at Arizona Department of Corrections; June holds the most, 40%. Sundays: 20%.
September holds 9.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Sundays: 11.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 10 deaths at Arizona Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Arizona Department of Corrections has 10 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
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James Stiner
Sep 18, 1967
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Theodore James Buckley
Jun 22, 1973
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Dale Eldred Morey
Jun 22, 1973
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Paul W. Rast
Sep 7, 1975
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Sandra JoAnn Bachman
Jun 26, 1990
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Robert Kenneth Barchey
Nov 15, 1993
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Brent W. Lumley
Mar 7, 1997
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Gabriel B. Saucedo
Jun 2, 2005
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Douglas Eugene Falconer
Oct 1, 2008
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Paul Ray Nolasco, Jr.
May 25, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Arizona Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
