Ralph Palma

New Haven Police Dept. — New Haven, CT

Felonious

End of Watch June 13, 1954

Age 32

The Vigil Panel 90 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 22

Incident

Detective Ralph Palma succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on May 12th, 1954, when he was shot by two robbery suspects at the Paramount Theater at 146 Temple Street. The two men had committed a robbery earlier in the day. Detective Palma had gone to the theater with other detectives and members of the Connecticut State Police after learning the two suspects were sitting in the back row. Both suspects committed suicide several hours later as police closed in on them.

Survivors

Detective Palma was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CT-3436C55B
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.
Detective Palma served with the New Haven Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Palma.

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

Agency

Department New Haven Police Dept.

Location New Haven, CT

Platform Identity newhpd.southcentral.ct.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 13, 1954

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Committed suicide

Detective Ralph Palma 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New Haven Police Dept., 10 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.5% of this agency's fallen.

New Haven Police Dept.

of 23 officers

43.5% Felonious

CT — Statewide

of 169 officers

43.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious