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Corporal Paul John Sweeney | New Castle County Police Department, Delaware
New Castle County Police Department, Delaware

Corporal

Paul John Sweeney

New Castle County Police Department, Delaware

End of Watch: Thursday, November 30, 1972

Biographical Info

Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 41

Incident Details

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.