United States Department of the Interior - United States Park Police, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Saturday, April 15, 1944
Age: 60
Tour of Duty: 24 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: April 15, 1944
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Not available
Private Joseph Shawhan was killed in an automobile crash while pursuing a traffic violator on the Mount Vernon Memorial Boulevard (modern-day George Washington Memorial Parkway) in Fairfax County, Virginia, three miles south of Alexandria.
He had just dropped his partner off for lunch when it is believed he attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. His patrol car went out of control on the wet roadway and struck a tree.
Private Shawhan was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the United States Park Police for 24 years. He was survived by his wife and son.