List of killings by law enforcement officers in Poland

Last updated

This is a list of people killed by non-military law enforcement officers in Poland, both on duty and off, and regardless of reason or method. Inclusion in the lists implies neither wrongdoing nor justification on the part of the person killed or the officer involved; the listing merely documents the occurrence of a death.

Contents

Since 1990

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
DateName (age)
of deceased		PlaceVoivodeshipDescription
2024-11-23N.N. (35) Warsaw Masovian VoivodeshipWhile responding to a report of an aggressive man wielding a machete, a junior officer shot his colleague, who died in hospital. [1]
2021-12-16Tomasz N. Wydminy Warmian–Masurian VoivodeshipPolice officer Mateusz C. shot a drunk man resisting arrest at very close range, killing him. Another officer was injured after the bullet passed through the man's body and struck her wrist. Mateusz C. was fired and given a one-year suspended prison sentence. [2]
2021-04-19Łukasz P. (36) Ruda Śląska Silesian VoivodeshipPolice officers shot dead man after he rammed three police cars and aimed at the officers with a gun. [3]
2020-12-22N.N. (32) Płock Masovian VoivodeshipPolice officers used tear gas against an aggressively behaving driver, who later died in a hospital. [4]
2020-06-27Dariusz Nawara (28) Kościelisko Lesser Poland VoivodeshipPolice officer shot dead man accused of robbery. [5]
2020-06-18N.N. (31) Żyrardów Masovian VoivodeshipPolice officer shot dead woman who attacked him with knife after stabbing a man. [6]
2019-11-14Adam Czerniejewski (21) [7] Konin Greater Poland VoivodeshipPolice officer shot dead man who tried to escape from identity check. He was armed with scissors. [8] [9]
2019-07-26N.N. (30) Lipsko Masovian VoivodeshipPolice officer shot and killed man who attacked him with knife. [10]
2018-07-21N.N. Olsztyn Warmian–Masurian VoivodeshipPolice officer shot seven times drunk man who tried to escape from police. He died the next day in hospital. The officer was criminally charged. [11]
2018-05-23N.N. (43) Opole Opole VoivodeshipPolice officer shot dead man armed with pneumatic gun who was vandalizing a police car. [12]
2017-12-15Adrian Z. Kraków Lesser Poland Voivodeship Counter-terrorism officer fatally shot a gangster during arrest [13]
2017-12-02N.N. (42) Wisznia Mała Lower Silesian VoivodeshipPolice officers shot dead man who opened machine gun fire on them, which killed an officer and wounded three others. [14]
2016-12-31Cezary S. Żychlin Łódź VoivodeshipPolice officer Łukasz M. killed a trader of cigarettes and alcohol Cezary S. with six gunshots, to whom he owed 20,000 PLN [15]
2016-08-12Cezary S. Szczecin West Pomeranian VoivodeshipPolice officer shot dead man who tried to escape from road check. He was sentenced to one and a half years in prison in 2019 [16]
2016-05-15 Igor Stachowiak (26) Wrocław Lower Silesian VoivodeshipIgor Stachowiak was tased multiple times by four police officers, which may have caused his death. The officers were sentenced to from 2 to 2.5 years in prison in 2019 [17]
2015-12-21N.N. Gdynia Pomeranian VoivodeshipA man was shot after he opened fire on police officers that entered his apartment while carrying out an arrest warrant. He was wanted in connection to a murder. [18]
2015-05-02Dawid D. (27) Knurów Silesian VoivodeshipPseudo-fan died after being shot with rubber bullet during riots after football match. Police officer who killed him was later cleared of charges [19]
2014-12-15N.N. Sosnowiec Silesian VoivodeshipPolice officer shot dead man who robbed the bank [20]
2014-07-14N.N. (56) Ruda Śląska Silesian VoivodeshipPolice officers shot an aggressively behaving psychiatric hospital patient in the thigh and torso. He died later on the operating table [21]
2011-01-15Andrzej Swoszowski (28) Tuchów Lesser Poland VoivodeshipPolice officers opened fire at a stolen car [22]
2010-10-10N.N. (69) Żar Silesian Voivodeship,Police officers shot dead man who opened fire on them [23]
2010-05-24 Maxwell Itoya Warsaw Masovian VoivodeshipMaxwell Itoya died after being shot when trying to talk to the policeman [24]
2009-10-16Krzysztof K. Duszniki Greater Poland VoivodeshipMan died after shootout with police [25]
2009-06-13Grzegorz P. Borucza Masovian VoivodeshipPolice officer shot dead a mentally ill man who attacked him with a knife. He was later cleared of charges. [26]
2006-07-27Marcin K. (21) Chodel Lublin VoivodeshipMotorcyclist was shot ten times after failed to stop for a security check. He died from spine wounds [27]
2004-10-09N.N. Kutno Łódź VoivodeshipPolice officers shot dead gangster during arrest [28]
2004-05-08Monika Kelm (23) Łódź Łódź VoivodeshipPolice shot dead two people during riots [29]
Damian Tybura (19)
2004-04-29Łukasz T. (19) Poznań Greater Poland VoivodeshipPolice officers opened fire at car which failed to stop for a security check. [30]
2003-06-13Józef Ł. Zielona Góra Lubusz VoivodeshipPolice officers shot dead gangster who was trying to steal his gun [31]
2003-01-21Piotr R. Warsaw Masovian VoivodeshipTwo gangsters were killed in shootout with police. [32]
Krzysztof M.
2002-08-06N.N. (37) Wola Podłężna Greater Poland VoivodeshipMan was killed in shootout with police after he shot them with shotgun [33]
2002-06-22N.N. Tomaszów Lubelski Lublin VoivodeshipMan was killed in shootout with police after trying to rob bureau de change with gas weapon [34]
2001-01-28Sierhij K. Świdnik Lublin VoivodeshipHe was shot dead after he didn't stop for security check [35]
2000-06-23N.N. Głogów Lower Silesian VoivodeshipPolice officers shot dead man who opened fire on them [36]
2000-03-14Ryszard Karczewski Warsaw Masovian VoivodeshipPolice officer mistakenly shot and killed a vet while trying to catch tiger that escaped from a circus. [37]
2000-01-08Krzysztof P. (26) Warsaw Masovian VoivodeshipPolice officers shot dead car thief [38]
1999-10-15Valeri Bermes (34) Kraków Lesser Poland VoivodeshipAnti-terrorist units killed gangster after he opened fire on them [39]
1999-06-16Michał Filipek (23) Sosnowiec Silesian VoivodeshipHe was killed by four police officers who have beaten him with batons. Three of them were later sentenced to years in prison. [40]
1998-01-10Przemysław Czaja (13) Słupsk Słupsk Voivodeship (now part of Pomeranian Voivodeship)During the 1998 Słupsk street riots, police officer caught up to a member of the group crossing the street on red light, the 13-year-old Przemysław Czaja, and repeatedly hit his head and neck using his baton. At 8:20 p.m. the boy died. [41]
1997-03-09Robert R. (25) Warsaw Warsaw Voivodeship (now part of Masovian Voivodeship)Police officer was trying to catch a criminal. He shot his firearm into the air which alarmed men who approached him while carrying baseball bats. He shot two of them dead and injured third. In 1999 he was sentenced for years in prison, however he was pardoned by president Aleksander Kwaśniewski in 2002. [42] [43]
Stanisław Ż. (54)
1997-01-06Robert J. (19) Łomazy Biała Podlaska Voivodeship (now part of Lublin Voivodeship)Police officer shot dead man during interrogation at the police station. He was later sentenced for 15 years in prison [44]

1945–1990

DateName (age)
of deceased		Description
1984-10-19 Jerzy Popiełuszko (37)He was beaten to death by three Security Police officers. [45]
1982-10-13 Bogdan Włosik  [ pl ] (20)Killed by an officer of the Security Service during a steelworkers' demonstration [46]
1981-12-17 Antoni Browarczyk  [ pl ] (20)Shot in the head by a Milicja Obywatelska officer [47]
1981-12-16 Andrzej Pełka  [ pl ] (19)Striking miners killed during the Pacification of the Wujek mine. [48]
Zenon Zając  [ pl ] (31)
Zbigniew Wilk  [ pl ] (30)
Bogusław Kopczak  [ pl ] (28)
Ryszard Józef Gzik  [ pl ] (35)
Józef Krzysztof Giza  [ pl ] (24)
Joachim Józef Gnida  [ pl ] (28)
Józef Czekalski (48)
Jan Stawisiński  [ pl ] (21)
1970-12Jerzy MatelskiKilled during Polish protests of 1970 [49]
Józef Widerlik
Kazimierz Stojecki
Andrzej Peszyński
Stefan Mosiewicz
Kazimierz Zastawny
Bogdan Sypka
Zygmunt Polito
Zygmunt Gliniecki
Jerzy Kuchcik
Waldemar Zajczenko
Brunon Drywa
Stanisław Sieradzan
Zbigniew Godlewski
Ludwik Piernicki
Jan Kałużny
Zbigniew Wycichowski
Józef Pawiowski
Jan Polechoński
Zbigniew Nastały
Marian Wójcik
Stanisław Lewandowski
Janusz Żebrowski
Jerzy Skonieczka
Apolinary Formela
1970-12-18 Tadeusz Marian Sawicz  [ pl ] (22)Shot in the head by a police officer while walking out of a milk bar [50]
1970-12-15 Waldemar Rebinin  [ pl ] (26)Killed during the Polish protests of 1970 [51]
1951-05-10 Józef Padewski (57)He was tortured to death by officers of the Ministry of Public Security of Poland
1947-05-04Edward CytrianPolice officer shot dead boy in Mały Płock during an event. [52]

1918–1939

DateName (age)
of deceased		Description
1937114 individualsAccording to speech of Prime Minister in Sejm in 1937 [53]
1936149 individuals157 killed by police in 1936 totally
1936-03-23Józef CieślikKilled in the Semperit strike  [ pl ] [54]
Jan Jędrygas
Janina Krasicka
Andrzej Proc
Jan Szwed
Jan Szybiak
Piotr Wrona
Antoni Żłobiński
1935143 individuals
1934118 individuals
1933145 individuals
1932141 individuals
1921-08-19Stefan Cyburski (22)Killed during the 1921 Rawicz riots  [ pl ]
Władysław Dąbrowicz (18)
Franciszek Robaszyński (23)
Wincenty Szukalski (37)
Kazimierz Szwarc (17)
Jan Tatarek (22)
Jan Tyca (26)
1920-04-26Kazimierz BogdaszewskiKilled during 1920 Posen strike  [ pl ]
Józef Dereziński
Stefan Domagała
Michał Dziembalski
Franciszek Krzyśko
Jan Mieloch
Marcin Ratajczak
Kazimierz Szkudlarek
Stanisław Tukaj

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rochowicz, Katarzyna (24 November 2024). "Tragedia podczas interwencji w Warszawie. Wiadomo, kim był śmiertelnie postrzelony policjant". Gazeta.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  2. ↑ Smolik, Monika (3 June 2025). "Strzelanina pod Giżyckiem. Jest wyrok sądu dla policjanta". Radio Eska (in Polish). Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Pościg i strzały z policyjnej broni. Nie żyje 36-latek". TVN24 (in Polish). 19 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "Płock: śmierć po policyjnym pościgu. "Szarpał się, kopał, miał bełkotliwą mowę"". Polsat News (in Polish). 22 December 2020.
  5. ↑ "Policjant zastrzelił 28-latka podejrzewanego o kradzież. „Chcemy wiedzieć, co tam się stało" [Część 2]". Uwaga! (in Polish). TVN. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "31-latka śmiertelnie postrzelona przez policjanta. Wcześniej zaatakowała funkcjonariuszy nożami". RMF24 (in Polish). 19 June 2020.
  7. ↑ "Policjant strzelił w plecy bezbronnemu uciekającemu mężczyźnie?". Telewizja Polska (in Polish). 12 August 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  8. ↑ "Policjant zastrzelił mężczyznę przy próbie wylegitymowania". Nasze Miasto (in Polish). 14 November 2019.
  9. ↑ "21-latek zginął po strzale z policyjnej broni. Policjant: świadomie nacisnąłem spust". TVN24 (in Polish). 17 September 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "Policjant śmiertelnie postrzelił 30-latka, który dźgnął go nożem". Polsat News (in Polish). 27 July 2019.
  11. ↑ "Policjant, który postrzelił mężczyznę na olsztyńskim Zatorzu, usłyszał zarzut". Gazeta Olsztyńska (in Polish). 16 January 2019.
  12. ↑ "Zastrzelony przed komisariatem 43-latek miał przy sobie broń pneumatyczną". TVN24 (in Polish). 24 May 2018.
  13. ↑ "Antyterrorysta śmiertelnie postrzelił mężczyznę. Będzie śledztwo". TVN24 (in Polish). 15 December 2017.
  14. ↑ "Strzelanina pod Wrocławiem. Nie żyje policjant i gangster". Gazeta Wrocławska (in Polish). 3 December 2017.
  15. ↑ Kolewska, Marcelina (29 March 2018). "Ruszył proces policjanta, który zastrzelił handlarza. Zrobił to, by nie musieć oddawać mu długu". Wirtualna Polska (in Polish).
  16. ↑ Nycz, Maciej (11 April 2019). "Policjant zastrzelił uciekającego kierowcę. Jest wyrok". RMF24 (in Polish).
  17. ↑ "Four policemen sentenced for prison in Igor Stachowiak's death trial". 21 June 2019.
  18. ↑ "Nocna strzelanina i akcja antyterrorystów w Gdyni. Nie żyje jedna osoba". Nowiny (in Polish). 21 December 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  19. ↑ "Trzy lata temu zginął kibic postrzelony w Knurowie. Śledztwo umorzone". Radio Zet (in Polish). 2 May 2018.
  20. ↑ "Napad na bank w Sosnowcu. Policjant zastrzelił złodzieja. Śledztwo zostało umorzone". Dziennik Zachodni (in Polish). 22 June 2015.
  21. ↑ Nowak, Michał (12 March 2015). "Policjanci zastrzelili pacjenta szpitala w Rudzie Śl. "Nie przekroczyli uprawnień" – prokurator". Dziennik Zachodni (in Polish).
  22. ↑ Paluch, Marta (8 May 2013). "Śmierć Andrzeja Swoszowskiego. "Oskarżony policjant czuje się szeryfem"". Gazeta Krakowska (in Polish). Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  23. ↑ "Strzelanina na górze Żar. Desperat nie żyje, turysta jest ranny". 10 October 2010.
  24. ↑ Pollok, Christian (4 June 2010). "Continuing Controversy About Shooting of Nigerian Immigrant". Krakow Post. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  25. ↑ "Strzelanina w Dusznikach - nowe fakty". Interia.pl (in Polish). 19 November 2010.
  26. ↑ "Policjanci zastrzelili psychicznie chorego. Sąd: niewinni". WP Wiadomości (in Polish). 9 April 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  27. ↑ Reszka, Paweł P. (28 July 2006). "Policja zastrzeliła 21-letniego motocyklistę". Gazeta.pl (in Polish).
  28. ↑ "Policyjna zasadzka na gangsterów w Kutnie". RMF24 (in Polish). 9 October 2004.
  29. ↑ Trzuskowska, Małgorzata; Jabłoński, Tomasz (14 May 2004). "Śmierć przyszła na juwenalia". Nasze Miasto (in Polish).
  30. ↑ "Strzelanina na Bałtyckiej w Poznaniu. Sąd uchylił wyrok dla policjantów". WP Wiadomości (in Polish). 4 February 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  31. ↑ "Policja zastrzeliła bandytę". Wprost (in Polish). 14 June 2003.
  32. ↑ Siwanowicz, Piotr (2 February 2003). "Dobry policjant to żywy policjant". Przegląd (in Polish). Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  33. ↑ Muszałkiewicz, Weronika (8 August 2002). "Stracił pracę i nie żyje". Nasze Miasto (in Polish).
  34. ↑ "Strzelanina w Tomaszowie Lubelskim". RMF24 (in Polish). 22 June 2002.
  35. ↑ "Policja polowała na tygrysa. Zginął weterynarz". RMF24 (in Polish). 29 September 2001.
  36. ↑ "Strzelanina w centrum Głogowa". Rzeczpospolita (in Polish). 27 June 2000.
  37. ↑ Engelhardt, Michał (14 March 2011). "Policja polowała na tygrysa. Zginął weterynarz". Gazeta.pl (in Polish).
  38. ↑ Zborowski, Bartłomiej (8 January 2000). "Złodziej zginął w strzelaninie". Rzeczpospolita (in Polish).
  39. ↑ ""Wowka" zastrzelony!". Dziennik Polski (in Polish). 15 October 1999.
  40. ↑ Strąk, Patrycja (11 June 2002). "Funkcjonariusz winny nieumyślnego spowodowania śmierci Michała Filipka". Nasze Miasto (in Polish).
  41. ↑ "Sąd utrzymał wyrok ws. Przemka Czai zabitego przez policjanta". WP Wiadomości (in Polish). Polish Press Agency. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  42. ↑ "Prezydent ułaskawił policjanta z Bródna – Jana G." 6 April 1998.
  43. ↑ "Ułaskawić sierżanta Galę". 2 April 2002.
  44. ↑ "Piętnaście lat więzienia dla komendanta". Rzeczpospolita (in Polish). 2 May 1998.
  45. ↑ Kengor, Paul (19 October 2021). "Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko — Terror of Communists, Target of Vandals, Hero of Catholics Worldwide". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  46. ↑ "Bogdan Włosik. Niewinna ofiara stanu wojennego". Polskie Radio 24 (in Polish). 13 October 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  47. ↑ Adamkowicz, Marek (13 December 2016). "Śmierć, którą trzeba wyjaśnić. Antoni Browarczyk pierwszą ofiarą stanu wojennego". Dziennik Bałtycki (in Polish). Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  48. ↑ "Pacyfikacja kopalni „Wujek" – największa zbrodnia stanu wojennego" (in Polish). Institute of National Remembrance. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  49. ↑ "Lista ofiar Grudnia '70". IPN.
  50. ↑ "Tadeusz Marian Sawicz elbląska ofiara Grudnia 1970". dzieje.pl (in Polish). Polish Press Agency. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  51. ↑ Stankiewicz, M. (15 December 2022). Świerkowska-Chromy, B. (ed.). "Zginął od kuli milicjanta. Elbląg wspomina Waldemara Rebinina". Radio Olsztyn (in Polish). Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  52. ↑ "Jak Milicja Obywatelska władzę ludową umacniała". 20 November 2011.
  53. ↑ "Krwawe strajki w II RP". 30 May 2016.
  54. ↑ "Kraków – pomnik na grobach robotników Semperitu". 3 January 2015.
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