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Incident
Police Officer Bradley Matteson died shortly after being involved in a vehicle accident.
He was returning from a service call when his cruiser was struck by a semitrailer which had run a red light at State Street and Coliseum Boulevard. The cruiser was flipped over and the driver's side doors were crushed and had to be pried open in order to free Officer Matteson. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries several hours later. The driver of the other vehicle pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Police Officer Matteson gave the Fort Wayne Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Wayne community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Matteson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fort Wayne Police Department has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Bradley is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Bradley is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bradley 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 2000, 3 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 2000, 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 2000, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Bradley was 43. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Bradley had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Bradley was 43. 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. Bradley had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bradley was 43. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Bradley had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Thursdays: 8.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Fort Wayne Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, 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
Fort Wayne Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Bradley among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Fort Wayne Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
