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Incident
Officer Paul Mendelssohn was shot and killed by four masked men during a strike by employees of the Connecticut Railroad and Lighting Company. Officer Mendelssohn was guarding the North Main Street trolley when the four suspects boarded it and opened fire on him. He was struck with rounds from .22 caliber, .32 caliber, and .38 caliber handguns. The suspects fled the scene and were never identified or apprehended. Officer Mendelssohn had served with the Waterbury Police Department for 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three young children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrol Officer Mendelssohn gave the Waterbury Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waterbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Mendelssohn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Watertown Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Paul is one of 74 officers killed feloniously in CT, 43.8% of the 169 remembered there.
Paul is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1903, 1 officer at Watertown Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1903, 1 officer in CT was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 4.
In 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1903, 106 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Paul was 26. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Watertown Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 40; the middle age was 36. Paul had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Paul was 26. Of the 70 killed feloniously in CT whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 39. Paul had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Paul was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Paul had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Paul had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Watertown Police Department; November holds the most, 20%. Sundays: 20%.
March holds 8.1% of these deaths in CT; May holds the most, 13.5%. Sundays: 13.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Watertown Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Watertown Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
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Paul Mendelssohn
Mar 8, 1903
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Daniel J. Lane
Aug 7, 1913
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John F. Donahue
Aug 2, 1920
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William J. Stokes
May 2, 1925
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Matthew J. McNally
Nov 20, 1930
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Edward F. Ryan
Jan 27, 1933
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John E. Palmatier
Jul 20, 1941
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Frank D. Romano
Nov 22, 1958
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Leonard J. LaManna
Nov 18, 1961
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Walter T. Williams, III
Dec 18, 1992
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Bruce Hanley
Dec 13, 1997
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Watertown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
