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Patrolman

Frank J. Papaianni

Edison Police Department — Edison, NJ

Felonious

End of Watch September 16, 1971

Age 32

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Badge 55

The Vigil Panel 109 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Patrolman Frank Papaianni was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a silent holdup alarm at a bank at Menlo Park Mall. The suspect opened fire on the officers when they arrived at the scene, striking Patrolman Papaianni in the chest and critically wounding his partner before they were able to exit the patrol car. The suspect, an ex-convict, was shot and killed. Patrolman Papaianni had served with the Edison Police Department for three years. He is survived by his expectant wife and two children. Lake Papaianni was named in honor of Patrolman Papaianni.

Survivors

He is survived by his expectant wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NJ-A2308D46
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Papaianni gave the Edison Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Edison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Papaianni.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Edison Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Edison, NJ

Platform Identity epd.middlesex.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 16, 1971

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 32

Badge Number 55

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Patrolman Frank J. Papaianni is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 officers honored here.

In NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 18.5 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.

At Edison Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Edison Police Department

of 2 officers

50% Felonious

NJ — Statewide

229

of 646 officers

35.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,558

of 32,585 officers

53.9% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank J. Papaianni's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,558 (53.9%)

Accident

10,094 (31%)

Illness

3,037 (9.3%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

334 (1%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

How Frank J. Papaianni Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank J. Papaianni is highlighted in Sep.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,516

May

1,504

Jun

1,442

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,491

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank J. Papaianni was killed by gun.

Handgun

3,684

Gun

3,592

Gun; Unknown type

1,492

Shotgun

1,109

Rifle

935

Officer's handgun

909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Edison Police Department are honored on badge.nw.