U.S. Air Force · United States 
Joseph Friel
1994
Joseph Charles Friel served the U.S. Air Force.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Motor vehicle
What Happened
Police Officer Joseph Friel was killed when his patrol car was struck by another vehicle driven by a drunk driver on Ridge Avenue near Acorn Street at 2:30 a.m. The 26-year-old driver was convicted of vehicular homicide and drunk driving and sentenced to 3 to 6 years in jail. One of Officer Friel's uncles was killed in the line of duty in 1986 while serving with the Philadelphia Fire Department. Officer Friel was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for only 6 months and was assigned to the 5th Police District. He was survived by his son, two sisters, a brother, and a fiancee. Officer Friel's younger brother also served as a Philadelphia police officer.
Survivors
He was survived by his son, two sisters, a brother, and a fiancee.
Service Record
U.S. Air Force
Also Served
Philadelphia Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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