Stephen Edward Sawka
Agency patch
Police Officer

Stephen Edward Sawka

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA
Cardiac
End of Watch June 18, 1983
Age 27
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 3790
The Vigil Panel 127 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Stephen Sawka suffered a fatal heart attack following a struggle with a suspect at York Street and Sepviva Street, in which he and his partner suffered minor injuries. After arresting the suspect, Officer Sawka drove his partner to the police administration building to photograph his injuries. As Officer Sawka waited outside, he began to suffer chest pains. He drove himself to a local hospital, where he died. Officer Sawka had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 3 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnabcj8jqb9zh50ad002
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 Stephen. 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Sawka gave the Philadelphia Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sawka.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 18, 1983
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 27
Badge Number 3790
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

The Sacrifice · Cardiac

Stephen is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1983, 12 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Stephen was 27. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Stephen had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Philadelphia Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Stephen among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Stephen Edward Sawka

Philadelphia Police Department · End of Watch June 18, 1983

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E

↑