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William Donald Paradine
Incident
Patrolman William Paradine and Patrolman George Kruth were killed shortly before midnight when their patrol motorcycles collided head-on on a sharp curve on Peninsula Drive in Peninsula State Park (modern-day Presque Isle State Park). The crash occurred on Patrolman Paradine's last shift as a seasonal police officer for the park before returning to Princeton University as a student. Patrolman Paradine had served with the Peninsula State Park Police for several months.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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 Paradine served with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Paradine.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Bureau of State Parks has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 14 officers in PA were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1932, 110 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1932, 121 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 23. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. William had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
William was 23. 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. William had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 6.7% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Bureau of State Parks.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Bureau of State Parks has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Bureau of State Parks are honored on badge.nw.
