Incident
Patrolman Thomas Sullivan succumbed to injuries sustained on October 29th, 1941, when he was involved in an automobile crash at the intersection of Fillmore Avenue and Paderewski Drive while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Their patrol car was struck by a taxi that failed to yield to their lights and sirens.
His partner, Patrolman Louis Vastola, died one day after the accident.
Patrolman Sullivan had served with the Buffalo Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three 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.
Patrolman Sullivan gave the Buffalo Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Buffalo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Sullivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Buffalo Police Department has lost 51 officers; 26 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.1% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1954, 1 officer at Buffalo Police Department was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 3.
In 1954, 9 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1954, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1954, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 39. Of the 26 lost to accidents at Buffalo Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.3 and 43.5; the middle age was 37. Thomas had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Thomas was 39. Of the 575 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Thomas had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Thomas was 39. 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. Thomas had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 39. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 11.5% of these deaths at Buffalo Police Department; October holds the most, 23.1%. Mondays: 15.4%.
February holds 7% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 51% of all 51 deaths at Buffalo Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.1% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Buffalo Police Department has 51 officers remembered here, Thomas 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
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