Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Joe Szczerba was fatally stabbed while struggling with a suspect shortly after midnight.
Lieutenant Szczerba had responded to backup other officers who were searching for a disorderly man near Penn Acres Park. He located the man at East Roosevelt Avenue and Fithian Drive and, after a short foot chase, began to struggle with him. During the struggle the subject pulled out a knife and stabbed Lieutenant Szczerba in the neck.
Other officers were able to take the subject into custody. Lieutenant Szczerba was transported to Christiana Hospital where he succumbed to the wound.
On September 30th, 2013, the subject pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder and 13 additional counts. On January 17th, 2014, the subject was sentenced to life terms in prison without parole.
Lieutenant Szczerba had served with the New Castle County Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and family.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DE-0EBDE538- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Szczerba gave the New Castle County Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Castle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Szczerba.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Joseph Lawrence Szczerba is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DE, 25 of 51 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 49% of this state's fallen. That is 5.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Castle County 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Lawrence Szczerba's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Lawrence Szczerba Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Lawrence Szczerba is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Lawrence Szczerba was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Castle County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
