Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Novak was shot and killed at a school board meeting by the city school director. Officer Novak was sent to the meeting due to ill feelings among board members over a recent election. The suspect said his revolver accidentally discharged when Officer Novak pushed him. He was tried for murder and acquitted. Officer Novak had served with the agency for 5 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-FFADE4D3- 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.
Police Officer Novak gave the Dickson City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dickson City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Novak.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William Novak 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Dickson City 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. William Novak's cause is highlighted.
How William Novak Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Novak is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Novak was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Dickson City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
