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Michael L. Petrella
Incident
Private Michael Petrella was killed in a motorcycle crash on Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C., during a period of rain. His motorcycle struck the side of a car next to him. He was transported to George Washington Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Private Petrella had served with the United States Park Police for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and mother.
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.
Private Petrella gave the United States Department of the Interior 6 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Private Petrella.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police has lost 13 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 453 officers lost to accidents in DC, 31.9% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael 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 1965, 1 officer at United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1965, 3 officers in DC were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 14.
In 1965, 56 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1965, 70 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 74th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 27. Of the 7 lost to accidents at United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 53; the middle age was 46. Michael had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 13.5 years.
Michael was 27. Of the 425 lost to accidents in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 27. 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. Michael had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 14.3% of these deaths at United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police; January holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 42.9%.
September holds 8.6% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 15%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 53.8% of all 13 deaths at United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, 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
United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police has 13 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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William D. Allen
Nov 12, 1923
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William J. Grissam
Mar 20, 1932
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Milo John Kennedy
Aug 7, 1932
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James Francis Grove
Jan 28, 1933
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Carl Hestikind
Feb 18, 1936
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Ivan William Thompson
Jun 14, 1940
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Thomas Patrick Fogarty
Aug 6, 1941
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Joseph E. Shawhan
Apr 15, 1944
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Michael L. Petrella
Sep 25, 1965
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Raymond Leonard Hawkins
Feb 15, 1972
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Ricardo Michael Preston
Aug 11, 1988
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Hakim Azim Farthing
Aug 10, 2002
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Michael Andrew Boehm
Dec 16, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police are honored on badge.nw.
