Paul Garofalo

Paul Garofalo was born in Wichita, Kansas, in the summer of 1956, the first child of Frank and Anita Garofalo. His father was a noted investigative reporter for local newspapers, and his mother, who had moved with her husband from New York City, created a home alive with delicious food, stimulating conversation, and laughter. Paul grew up with his two younger sisters, Laura and Kathy. After serving in the U.S. Army, Paul followed a desire to serve his community and joined the Wichita Police Department. By 1980, the 24-year-old White / Caucasian officer was married to his wife, Yolanda, and was the proud father of a young daughter. He had been on the force for just over a year when his life was cut short in a sudden, unprovoked act of violence.

In the pre-dawn hours of Saturday, November 8, 1980, Officer Garofalo was on routine patrol with his partner, Officer Randy Mullikin. They were driving their marked cruiser through the 1400 block of North Volutsia Street when they stopped to speak with two women on the street. Officer Garofalo, who was in the driver's seat, leaned over toward the passenger side to talk to the women through the open window. As he did, a man emerged from the shadows and approached the driver's side of the patrol car.

Without warning or provocation, the man aimed a sawed-off shotgun at Officer Garofalo and fired twice through the closed driver's side window. Officer Garofalo was struck in the head and chest. He was killed instantly, never having the chance to react or draw his weapon. Pellets from the shotgun blast also struck Officer Mullikin, wounding him in the legs. The gunman dropped the shotgun at the scene and fled on foot into the darkness. The senseless murder was the first line-of-duty death of a Wichita police officer in 17 years and sent a wave of shock and grief through the city.

The Wichita Police Department launched an immediate and intensive investigation. The shotgun left at the scene provided an early lead. The day after the shooting, investigators arrested a suspect, Ivory Haislip. Another man, Anthony Ray Martin, was identified as a key witness in the case against him. Based on witness statements and a confession Haislip reportedly made to acquaintances, he was charged with the murder of Officer Garofalo.

Ivory Haislip was tried for first-degree murder three separate times. Each trial ended with the same result: a conviction. After his third conviction, he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Officer Paul Garofalo. Haislip remained incarcerated for the next two decades. On December 26, 1999, he died in prison from liver cancer, closing the final chapter of the legal case.

Paul Garofalo's death left a permanent void in the lives of his family. His wife, Yolanda, was left to raise their daughter alone. His parents and sisters were devastated. According to her own obituary decades later, his mother, Anita, never reconciled the shocking crime, and not even her deep Catholic faith could provide adequate consolation for the incomprehensible loss. Despite her grief, she proceeded through life with a positive attitude, determined to make the most of what she was given. The murder of the dedicated young officer remains a painful memory for the Wichita Police Department and the community he served for far too short a time.