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Incident
Detective Ralph Palma succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on May 12th, 1954, when he was shot by two robbery suspects at the Paramount Theater at 146 Temple Street. The two men had committed a robbery earlier in the day. Detective Palma had gone to the theater with other detectives and members of the Connecticut State Police after learning the two suspects were sitting in the back row. Both suspects committed suicide several hours later as police closed in on them.
Survivors
Detective Palma was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Palma served with the New Haven Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Haven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Palma.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Haven Police Department has lost 23 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Ralph is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1954, 1 officer at New Haven Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1938, with 2.
In 1954, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 32. Of the 9 killed feloniously at New Haven Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 44; the middle age was 40.
Ralph was 32. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39.
Ralph was 32. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Ralph was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 10% of these deaths at New Haven Police Department; January holds the most, 20%. Sundays: 10%.
June holds 2.7% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Sundays: 13.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 43.5% of all 23 deaths at New Haven Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
New Haven Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
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Thomas Cummins Nov 24, 1855
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Charles A. Hooper Nov 4, 1892
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Patrick McGovern Jul 2, 1901
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Hugh McKeon Jul 31, 1901
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Bennett W. Dorman Nov 1, 1915
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Joseph T. Robbins Jun 25, 1916
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John E. Durkin Nov 2, 1918
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Patrick F. Cannon Mar 5, 1919
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Patrick J. Shea Oct 19, 1919
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Lawrence Murphy
Jul 23, 1924
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James Alexander Oct 18, 1927
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Joseph P. Sullivan Oct 23, 1932
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Walter Koella
Mar 16, 1935
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Edward H. Wendland May 21, 1938
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Daniel T. O'Connell Aug 15, 1938
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Ralph Palma Jun 13, 1954
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Louis P. Rienzo
Oct 11, 1967
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Frank T. Hawley
Jan 31, 1970
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Daniel Patrick Picagli
Oct 21, 2006
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Robert Fumiatti
Jan 10, 2007
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Dario Scott Aponte
Sep 10, 2008
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Andrew F. Faggio
Jan 11, 2012
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Diane Gonzalez
Jan 10, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
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