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Incident
Police Officer Paul Mawaka was killed in a motorcycle crash while on duty. He was struck by a hit-and-run driver while returning to the station at the end of his shift. The driver was never found. Officer Mawaka had served with the Springfield Police Department for 9 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, Claire, and three daughters, Laura, Wendy and Kimberly.
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.
Police Officer Mawaka gave the Springfield Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mawaka.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Springfield Police Department has lost 19 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Paul is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Paul is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul 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 1973, 1 officer at Springfield Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1940, with 2.
In 1973, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1973, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1973, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 34. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Springfield Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 42.5; the middle age was 34. Paul had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Paul was 34. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Paul had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Paul was 34. 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. Paul had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 34. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 14.3% of these deaths at Springfield Police Department; February holds the most, 42.9%. Tuesdays: 28.6%.
October holds 7.6% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Tuesdays: 12%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 36.8% of all 19 deaths at Springfield Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, 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
Springfield Police Department has 19 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
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Daniel J. Donovan Sep 29, 1908
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Harry Oliver Webster Sep 30, 1918
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Raymond James Hannon Nov 6, 1918
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Edward James Rathbun
Dec 8, 1918
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Adelbert St. Marie Aug 31, 1934
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Carl Rolf
Nov 2, 1938
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Thomas F. Murphy Feb 2, 1940
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John P. Sullivan, Sr. Feb 2, 1940
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Raymond T. Moriarty
Sep 20, 1946
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John W. Connors
Feb 20, 1953
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Leo G. Hamel
Oct 31, 1955
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Francis W. Sears Sep 11, 1967
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Walter C. Juskiewicz
Jun 21, 1969
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William R. Berte
Jan 8, 1973
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Richard D. Vigneault
Apr 11, 1973
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Paul F. Mawaka
Oct 30, 1973
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Michael J. Schiavina
Nov 12, 1985
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Alain J. Beauregard
Nov 15, 1985
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Kevin E. Ambrose
Jun 4, 2012
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
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