New Castle County Police Department, Delaware
End of Watch: Thursday, November 30, 1972
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 41
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: October 20, 1972
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Corporal Paul Sweeney succumbed to injuries and burns received one month earlier when his patrol car was struck from behind and burst into flames.
Corporal Sweeney was driving on Concord Pike, near Independence Mall, when the accident occurred.
The 16-year-old driver of the vehicle that struck Corporal Sweeney's patrol car was charged with reckless driving but the charge was upgraded to manslaughter when the officer passed away.
Corporal Sweeney had served with the New Castle County Police Department for 4 years and was posthumously promoted to rank of of Corporal. He is survived by his wife and two children.
In 2006 the new New Castle County Police Department's new headquarters building was named in Corporal Sweeney's honor.