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Incident
Sergeant William Grabeck was shot during a hold-up at the A.Y.O. Packing Company. He'd entered the building through the front entrance and found Frank Wojculewicz, armed with a revolver stolen from the Colt factory, robbing the office. Sergeant Grabeck placed his revolver in the robber's back and ordered him to drop his gun. A civilian appeared between Sergeant Grabeck and Wojculewicz as the sergeant attempted to make the apprehension. Wojculewicz spun and fired point blank, striking Sergeant Grabeck five times. Sergeant Grabeck fired six times, wounding Wojculewicz. Patrolman Wojtusik responded from the rear of the building, fired twice at the suspect, who was crawling toward his weapon, and then overpowered him. Both Sergeant Grabeck and Wojculewicz were brought to New Britain General Hospital where Sergeant Grabeck expired after heart massage briefly resuscitated him. Wojculewicz survived, but his lower body was paralyzed. Wojculewicz was granted ten reprieves, most of them by Governor Abraham Ribicoff, but was finally executed at the Connecticut State Prison on Oct. 26th, 1959. The A.Y.O. shoot-out had now resulted in two deaths. Sergeant Grabeck was survived by his wife. He is buried in Saint Mary Cemetery, New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut.
Survivors
Sergeant Grabeck was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
32 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Grabeck gave the New Britain Police Department 32 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the New Britain community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Grabeck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New Britain Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1951, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1951, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1951, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 53. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. William had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
William was 53. 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. William had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10.8% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Mondays: 16.2%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at New Britain Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 169 deaths in CT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16.2% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
New Britain Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from New Britain Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
