Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Paul Mendelssohn was shot and killed by four masked men during a strike by employees of the Connecticut Railroad and Lighting Company. Officer Mendelssohn was guarding the North Main Street trolley when the four suspects boarded it and opened fire on him. He was struck with rounds from .22 caliber, .32 caliber, and .38 caliber handguns. The suspects fled the scene and were never identified or apprehended. Officer Mendelssohn had served with the Waterbury Police Department for 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-7F1CD895- 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.
Patrol Officer Mendelssohn gave the Waterbury Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waterbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Mendelssohn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer Paul Mendelssohn 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 Watertown Police Department, 5 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Mendelssohn's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Mendelssohn Compares
Offender Outcome
Never identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Mendelssohn is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Mendelssohn was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Watertown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
