Incident
Detective Frank Wypijewski suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a suspect.
Detective Wypijewski and his partner responded to a complaint of a motor vehicle being operated without the use of its headlights. The detectives located and stopped the vehicle in order to speak with the driver.
The detectives quickly recognized the driver as a man who had previously served time in jail for burglary. During the course of their investigation, the detectives came across numerous bottles of liquor in the trunk of the car that they believed may have been stolen in a burglary of a nearby tavern. When the detectives questioned the driver about the bottles, he became violent and began fighting with the detectives.
During the fight, Detective Wypijewski let out a gasp and fell to the ground. Detective Wypijewski's partner attempted to revive him, but was unable to. Detective Wypijewski was removed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead from a heart attack.
Detective Wypijewski had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 23 years, and was survived by his wife and two sons.
Survivors
Detective Wypijewski had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 23 years, and was survived by his wife and two sons.
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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Wypijewski gave the Buffalo Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Wypijewski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Buffalo Police Department has lost 51 officers; 3 of them lost to cardiac events.
Frank is one of 102 officers lost to cardiac events in NY, 4.8% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Frank is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 2 officers in NY were lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 57 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 6.
In 1938, 8 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 72nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1938, 8 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 72nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Frank was 49. Of the 92 lost to cardiac events in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 37.8 and 51.5; the middle age was 45. Frank had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Frank was 49. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Frank had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Frank was 49. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Frank had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
March holds 9.8% of these deaths in NY; January holds the most, 13.7%. Sundays: 11.8%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 5.9% of all 51 deaths at Buffalo Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Buffalo Police Department has 51 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
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George Dill Jan 10, 1865
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James M. Shepard Feb 2, 1887
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Albert A. Thurston
Jan 11, 1889
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Timothy J. Cantlin Jan 12, 1896
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Frederick Brown Jun 16, 1896
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William Dreyer Nov 2, 1896
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Patrick J. Cronin Aug 23, 1902
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Louis D. Wanner Apr 5, 1903
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Nicholas Bernard Smith
Sep 7, 1905
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George W. Thomas
Oct 10, 1909
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Simon J. Callinan Oct 25, 1909
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John R. Ogden Jul 25, 1911
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Charles E. Schaeffer
Sep 6, 1911
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George E. Claus
Nov 19, 1912
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William J. Clossey Jun 13, 1913
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John M. Dumke
Apr 20, 1919
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Fred J. Pauley
Jul 19, 1919
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Herman A. Radel
Jul 19, 1919
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Norman R. Hayes
Oct 20, 1919
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Dennis J. Harrington
Oct 2, 1920
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Winfield S. Willis
Aug 22, 1921
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Charles A. Schmitt
Nov 15, 1921
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Emil Woelffel Apr 15, 1922
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Edward Steck
May 22, 1922
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William T. Hunt Jan 17, 1924
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Harold Haltam Dec 23, 1928
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Carl L. Wunderlich
Feb 4, 1930
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John C. Germain Aug 9, 1930
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George T. Miller Dec 20, 1931
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Russell E. Greeley
Nov 20, 1932
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Joseph Striebich
Jan 21, 1934
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Sterling C. Forden Jun 23, 1934
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George L. Uhl Aug 31, 1934
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Edmond Lisiecki
Jan 26, 1936
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Anthony H. Brock
Jan 3, 1937
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Clayton W. Clark Feb 8, 1938
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Frank C. Wypijewski
Mar 20, 1938
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Louis Vastola
Oct 30, 1941
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Fred Ganter Dec 29, 1942
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Robert H. Good
May 11, 1949
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Thomas Dennis Sullivan Feb 22, 1954
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William F. Gleisle
Nov 27, 1967
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Robert J. Arnold
Jan 15, 1968
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Joseph L. O'Neil
Oct 7, 1970
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David John Scime Sep 5, 1974
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Carl O. Reese
Feb 1, 1977
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Charles E. McDougald
Apr 9, 1997
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Robert J. McLellan
Feb 25, 1998
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James A. Shields
Oct 30, 2002
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Patricia A. Parete
Feb 2, 2013
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Craig E. Lehner
Oct 13, 2017
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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