Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John Pawlowski was shot and killed after responding to a dispute between a cab driver and a male.
Officer Pawlowski and his partner responded to the Logan section of Philadelphia after a cab driver called 911 to report a dispute. During the dispute, the cab driver had told the suspect that he was going to call the police, to which the suspect responded,"'If you call police, I shoot you plus the police."
When the officers arrived, the cab driver pointed out the subject. Officer Pawlowski and his partner approached the male, who was dressed in a black, three-quarter-length coat. The suspect had his hands in his pockets. Officer Pawlowski ordered the suspect to show his hands. The suspect did not comply and immediately opened fire with a .357 handgun, shooting through the pocket of his coat. One round struck Officer Pawlowski in his bullet-resistant vest, and a second-round struck him in the chest, just above his vest.
Officer Pawlowski was able to return fire, striking the suspect once before falling to the ground, mortally wounded. Officer Pawlowski's partner and a third officer engaged the suspect in a gun battle, in which one officer was grazed, and the suspect was shot numerous times.
Officer Pawlowski was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he died from his wounds.
The suspect was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and narcotics possession. On November 8, 2010, he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Officer Pawlowski had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 5 1/2 years. He is survived by his expectant wife. His brother also serves with the Philadelphia Police Department, and his father retired from the agency.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-PA-3E81DAB5- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Pawlowski gave the Philadelphia Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Pawlowski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John Pawlowski 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Pawlowski's cause is highlighted.
How John Pawlowski Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Pawlowski is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Pawlowski was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
