Paul Andrew Hale
Detective

Paul Andrew Hale

Raleigh Police Department — Raleigh, NC
Felonious
End of Watch July 11, 1997
Age 35
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 144 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Hale was fatally shot in the head while attempting to apprehend a murder suspect, 20, at an East Lenoir Street apartment building. Detective Hale and his partner were approaching the suspect's vehicle when the suspect fired a shot, striking Detective Hale. His partner returned fire, wounding the suspect, who was taken into custody. The suspect was convicted of Detective Hale's murder and sentenced to life in prison. As of June 9, 2023, the suspect, one of North Carolina's most dangerous inmates, remains in a maximum security prison under close watch. Detective Hale had been with the Raleigh Police Department for 7 years and was promoted five days before his death.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-D5437178
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.
Detective Hale gave the Raleigh Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Hale.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Raleigh, Wake County, NC
Platform Identity rpd.wake.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 11, 1997
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Detective Paul Andrew Hale 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 58 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Raleigh Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.

Raleigh Police Department
4
of 9 officers
44.4% Felonious
NC — Statewide
385
of 664 officers
58% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Andrew Hale's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Paul Andrew Hale Compares

Age at Death
35
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Andrew Hale is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Andrew Hale was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location