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Incident
Corporal Paul Sweeney succumbed to injuries and burns received one month earlier when his patrol car was struck from behind and burst into flames. Corporal Sweeney was driving on Concord Pike, near Independence Mall, when the accident occurred. The 16-year-old driver of the vehicle that struck Corporal Sweeney's patrol car was charged with reckless driving but the charge was upgraded to manslaughter when the officer passed away. Corporal Sweeney had served with the New Castle County Police Department for 4 years and was posthumously promoted to rank of of Corporal. He is survived by his wife and two children. In 2006 the new New Castle County Police Department's new headquarters building was named in Corporal Sweeney's honor.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two 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.
Corporal Sweeney gave the New Castle County Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Castle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Sweeney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New Castle County Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Paul is one of 19 officers lost to accidents in DE, 37.3% of the 51 remembered there.
Paul is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul 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 1972, 2 officers in DE were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1972, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1972, 98 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 26. Of the 19 lost to accidents in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 36.5; the middle age was 31. Paul had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Paul 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. Paul had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul 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. Paul had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 15.8% of these deaths in DE, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at New Castle County Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 37.3% of all 51 deaths in DE, 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
New Castle County Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Castle County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
