November 15, 2013, marked the 10-year anniversary of Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka’s untimely death.
On that day in 2003, Officer Matthew Pavelka was killed while responding to Officer Gregory Campbell’s call for backup. Two male subjects exited their vehicle and both fired automatic weapons. Both officers were wounded and transported to a local hospital, where Officer Pavelka died during surgery.
Officer Pavelka had been in the field as a police officer for just 10 months. Officer Pavelka joined the Air Force after graduating from high school as he was too young to apply for the police department. Officer Pavelka was remembered by more than one of his fellow officers as a charming, light-hearted 26-year-old, with a crown of spiky orange hair, who loved being a cop.
In observance of the 10-year anniversary of Officer Pavelka’s death, sworn and civilian members of the police department were joined by members of the fire department in observing a moment of silence in honor of Officer Matthew Pavelka.
The Burbank Police Officers Association and Burbank Police Command Staff provided memorial wreaths which were placed at the base of our “Guardian” statue in front of the police and fire building.
