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Incident
Sheriff Blankenship was struck and killed by a vehicle after being involved in a minor traffic accident near Gig Harbor. He and other officers had responded to an earlier accident and Sheriff Blankenship was transporting some of the victims to a hospital. While he was driving up a hill he had trouble shifting and his car rolled back into the vehicle behind him and the bumpers became entangled. When he stepped out of his vehicle another car struck him. He was transported to Providence Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Sheriff Blankenship's brother, Sheriff Daniel Blankenship, was killed in an automobile six years earlier while serving as the Kitsap County Sheriff. Sheriff Paul Blankenship had served as Sheriff for 6 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Blankenship gave the Kitsap County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Port Orchard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Blankenship.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kitsap County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Paul is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 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 1940, 1 officer in WA was lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 1940, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1940, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Paul was 60. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. Paul had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 60. 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 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Paul was 60. 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 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.9% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Saturdays: 15.3%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Kitsap County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, 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
Kitsap County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kitsap County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
