Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Paul Durkin was shot and killed after stopping a man on suspicion of petty theft in the 2300 block of Goleta Avenue at 4:10 a.m. He witnessed a subject carrying several items he believed to be stolen. Before he had an opportunity to exit his vehicle, the man shot him through the window of his patrol car twice at point-blank range with a .22 caliber handgun. When Patrolman Durkin was found by responding officers, the stolen items of a car stereo, speakers, and clothes were found next to his cruiser. The subject was apprehended later the same day. The man was convicted of Patrolman Durkin's murder and sentenced to 15 years to life. He was denied parole three times and will be eligible again in 2027. Patrolman Durkin had served with the Youngstown Police Department for 12 years and was the 1983 officer of the year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-E1482E49- 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.
Patrolman Durkin gave the Youngstown Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Youngstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Durkin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Paul Joseph Durkin 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Youngstown Police Department, 8 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Joseph Durkin's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Joseph Durkin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Joseph Durkin is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Joseph Durkin was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Youngstown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
