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Incident
Sheriff Paul Kritzeck was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a call. His patrol car was struck when he was turning onto County Road 33 from Highway 12. The collision knocked his vehicle into the path of an oncoming semi. Sheriff Kritzeck had served as sheriff for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Kritzeck gave the Wright County Sheriff's Office 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Kritzeck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Wright County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Paul is one of 84 officers lost to accidents in MN, 28.7% of the 293 remembered there.
Paul is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1951, 1 officer in MN was lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 60 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1951, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1951, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 67. Of the 84 lost to accidents in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 53; the middle age was 41.5. Paul had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Paul was 67. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 67. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 11.9% of these deaths in MN; May holds the most, 14.3%. Thursdays: 6%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Wright County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.7% of all 293 deaths in MN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Wright County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Wright County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
