Roll of Honor

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Investigator

Michael A. Padula

Ithaca Police Department — Ithaca, NY

Felonious

End of Watch November 17, 1996

Age 45

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

Badge 106

The Vigil Panel 143 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Investigator Padula was stabbed in the neck and killed while at the scene of an emotionally disturbed person call. The female suspect was barricaded in a bathroom and suddenly ran out, attacking Investigator Padula. The suspect was shot and killed by another officer on the scene. Investigator Padula had served with the Ithaca Police Department for 18 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his two sons, parents, sister, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-2D408D0F
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.
Investigator Padula gave the Ithaca Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ithaca community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Padula.

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

Agency

Department Ithaca Police Department

Location Ithaca, NY

Platform Identity ipd.tompkins.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 17, 1996

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

Age 45

Badge Number 106

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon; Knife

Offender Shot and killed

Investigator Michael A. Padula 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Ithaca 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.

Ithaca Police Department

of 2 officers

50% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael A. Padula's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Michael A. Padula Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael A. Padula is highlighted in Nov.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael A. Padula was killed by edged weapon; knife.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Ithaca Police Department are honored on badge.nw.