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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Viola succumbed to a gunshot sustained four days earlier when he was accidentally shot in the chest by his partner as they attempted to arrest a grand larceny suspect at 1717 Wall Street.
He was transported to a local hospital where he remained until succumbing to the wound.
Deputy Viola was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy Viola was survived by his 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.
Deputy Sheriff Viola served with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Viola.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 180 officers lost to accidents in LA, 30.3% of the 595 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1920, 1 officer in LA was lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 94 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 8.
In 1920, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1920, 66 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 45. Of the 148 lost to accidents in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 45. 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.
Joseph was 45. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
June holds 11.1% of these deaths in LA; April holds the most, 11.1%. Thursdays: 13.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 28.6% of all 7 deaths at Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30.3% of all 595 deaths in LA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
