Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Paul Starzyk was shot and killed while responding to a shots fired call at a local hair salon.
The salon owner's estranged husband had entered the business with a weapon looking for the woman. As he searched the salon he fired several shots.
As responding officers arrived at the scene, they exchanged shots with the man and Sergeant Starzyk was struck. Sergeant Starzyk was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect was killed by gunshots wounds fired by Sergeant Starzyk and a responding canine officer.
Sergeant Starzyk was a 12-year veteran of the Martinez Police Department.
Sergeant Starzyk was a 12-year veteran of the Martinez Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-7688D108- 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.
Sergeant Starzyk gave the Martinez Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Martinez community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Starzyk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Paul Avery Starzyk 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 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Martinez Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Avery Starzyk's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Avery Starzyk Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Avery Starzyk is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Avery Starzyk was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Martinez Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
