Prev
Incident
Patrol Officer John Palmatier was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at the intersection of West Main Street and Judd Street following a fireworks display. He was transported to Waterbury Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries one hour later.
Survivors
Officer Palmatier had been with the agency for 23 years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn7h3h58s1xnzn4bndm2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Patrol Officer Palmatier gave the Waterbury Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Waterbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Palmatier.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Watertown Police Department has lost 11 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 73 officers lost to accidents in CT, 43.2% of the 169 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 2 officers in CT were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 53 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 4.
In 1941, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1941, 90 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 60. Of the 63 lost to accidents in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47; the middle age was 39. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 60. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 60. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 19.2% of these deaths in CT, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 27.3% of all 11 deaths at Watertown Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 43.2% of all 169 deaths in CT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Watertown Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, John among them.
-
Paul Mendelssohn
Mar 8, 1903
-
Daniel J. Lane
Aug 7, 1913
-
John F. Donahue
Aug 2, 1920
-
William J. Stokes
May 2, 1925
-
Matthew J. McNally
Nov 20, 1930
-
Edward F. Ryan
Jan 27, 1933
-
John E. Palmatier
Jul 20, 1941
-
Frank D. Romano
Nov 22, 1958
-
Leonard J. LaManna
Nov 18, 1961
-
Walter T. Williams, III
Dec 18, 1992
-
Bruce Hanley
Dec 13, 1997
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Watertown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
