Roll of Honor
Incident
Correctional Officer Paul Rast was fatally injured when he was strangled and beaten by two juvenile inmates at the Adobe Mountain Juvenile Facility. Officer Rast was attacked after he had gone to the inmates' cottage to see why they had not reported for a work detail. He died in a Phoenix hospital two days later. The inmates, ages 15 and 17, were charged with voluntary manslaughter. On February 4th, 1976, the charges were dismissed due to a lack of evidence. Both inmates had very lengthy records that included robbery, auto theft, burglary, assault, and shoplifting. The 15-year-old had also fatally stabbed another youth. Officer Raft had served with the Arizona Department of Corrections for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-19CF2522- 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.
Correctional Officer Rast gave the Arizona Department of Corrections 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arizona. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Rast.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Correctional Officer Paul W. Rast 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 AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Arizona Department of Corrections, 5 of 10 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. Paul W. Rast's cause is highlighted.
How Paul W. Rast Compares
Offender Outcome
Cause: Assault
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul W. Rast is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul W. Rast was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Arizona Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
