Prev
Incident
Officer Mitchell was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a burglar alarm call. During the response the vehicle he was riding in struck another car that ran a stop sign. Officer Mitchell and the officer he was responding with were both off duty but were responding because all of the on duty officers were involved in controlling a riot in another part of the city.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpm72q9d4wq50d179c49- 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 Joseph. 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 Mitchell served with the Eureka Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Eureka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mitchell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Eureka Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 11 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1974, 98 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1974, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 26. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35.
Joseph was 26. 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 26. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 7.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Eureka Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, 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 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Eureka Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Eureka Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
