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Incident
Patrolman Frank Papaianni was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a silent holdup alarm at a bank at Menlo Park Mall. The suspect opened fire on the officers when they arrived at the scene, striking Patrolman Papaianni in the chest and critically wounding his partner before they were able to exit the patrol car. The suspect, an ex-convict, was shot and killed. Patrolman Papaianni had served with the Edison Police Department for three years. He is survived by his expectant wife and two children. Lake Papaianni was named in honor of Patrolman Papaianni.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Papaianni gave the Edison Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Edison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Papaianni.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Edison Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 4 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 32. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Frank 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. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 23.9% of these deaths in NJ, more than any other month. Thursdays: 13.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Edison Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 12.9% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Edison Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Edison Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
