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Police Officer

Matthew Michael Pavelka

Burbank Police Department — Burbank, CA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch November 15, 2003

Age 26

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 151 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 4

Incident

Officer Matthew Pavelka was shot and killed while backing up another officer investigating a suspicious vehicle at 1845 hours at the Ramada Inn 2900 N. San Fernando Boulevard in Burbank.

The driver of the vehicle was unable to produce a driver's license or vehicle registration before both occupants exited the car, each with two handguns, and opened fire on the officers. The suspects fired over 30 rounds from the handguns, striking both officers.

Although critically wounded, both officers were able to return fire and killed one of the suspects. The second suspect escaped but was captured two weeks later in Tijuana, Mexico. Several semi-automatic rifles and methamphetamine were also found in the vehicle during the ensuing investigation.

The suspect was captured and on July 24, 2012, was finally sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His two brothers were previously arrested and charged with aiding in his escape. Both brothers were found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Officer Pavelka was a United States Air Force veteran with the security police. He had only served with the Burbank Police Department for 10 months. Officer Pavelka was survived by his parents, brother, and girlfriend. His father was a 29-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department.

In 2004, the portion of State Highway Route 5 between West Burbank Boulevard in the City of Burbank and Hollywood Way in the City of Los Angeles in the County of Los Angeles was designated as the Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka Memorial Freeway.

There are memorial scholarship funds in Officer Pavelka's name with the Burbank Little League and the Burbank Police Department.

Survivors

Officer Pavelka was survived by his parents, brother, and girlfriend.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-48B89303
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Matthew. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Matthew is one person.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Pavelka gave the Burbank Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Burbank community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Burbank Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Burbank, Los Angeles County, CA

Platform Identity bpd.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 15, 2003

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Matthew Michael Pavelka served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Police Officer Matthew Michael Pavelka 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 97,756 officers honored here.

In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Burbank Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.

Burbank Police Department

of 5 officers

60% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,756 officers

0% Felonious