Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal John Novabilski was shot and killed while working an overtime assignment at a liquor store in the 7200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Highway. He was sitting in his patrol car at approximately 2:30 am when he was ambushed and shot 11 times in a completely unprovoked attack. The suspect then stole Corporal Novabilski's service weapon. The weapon was later used to murder FBI Special Agent William Christian in the same type of ambush-style attack on May 29, 1995. After shooting Agent Christian, the suspect shot himself with Corporal Novabiliski's gun when he was surrounded by responding agents. Corporal Novabilski had served with the Prince George's County Police Department for four years and had previously served with the Baltimore Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother. He is buried at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Bowie, Prince George's County, Maryland.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-EDFF0668- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Corporal Novabilski gave the Prince George's County Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Palmer Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Novabilski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal John J. Novabilski is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 51.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Prince George's County Police Department, 19 of 30 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Novabilski's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Novabilski Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Novabilski is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Novabilski was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Prince George's County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
