Incident
Deputy Powell was killed when his patrol car was struck by a train on South Crystal Lake Drive while en route to his duty station.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpp5j4y4qv4rtn7md1e6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Paul. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Powell served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Winter Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Powell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Polk County Sheriff's Department has lost 18 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Paul is one of 315 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.3% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Paul is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Paul is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 1 officer at Polk County Sheriff's Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 2.
In 1967, 4 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1967, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1967, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 26. Of the 9 lost to accidents at Polk County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 39; the middle age was 34.
Paul was 26. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35.
Paul was 26. 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 was 26. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
May holds 11.1% of these deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Department; October holds the most, 33.3%. Fridays: 22.2%.
May holds 7.9% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 18 deaths at Polk County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.3% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Polk County Sheriff's Department has 18 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
-
Oliver Thomas Smith Jan 16, 1922
-
J. Edward Harrelson
Dec 21, 1926
-
Frank Dixon Sep 22, 1932
-
Leon Alexander Bernard
Apr 9, 1963
-
Paul Andrew Powell
May 26, 1967
-
Sollie Waller Rabun, Jr.
Mar 3, 1974
-
Theron Anthony Burnham
Jan 9, 1981
-
Waymon Dee Allen
Mar 15, 1987
-
David Michael Goddard
Feb 2, 1989
-
Larry Willis Rhoden
Oct 22, 2001
-
Gene Brian Wilkinson
Oct 22, 2001
-
Vernon Matthew Williams
Sep 28, 2006
-
Ronnie O'Neal Brown
Sep 8, 2009
-
Wesley Richard Whitmore, Jr.
Dec 12, 2010
-
Joseph Robbins
Apr 26, 2013
-
Ricky Carlton Anderson
Feb 21, 2016
-
Christopher Broadhead
Aug 23, 2021
-
Blane Lane
Oct 4, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Polk County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.














