Officer Paul Goldak died three years after being struck by a drunk driver. On November 4, 1961, Officer Goldak was writing a traffic citation to a driver in the 6700 block of Manchester when another car struck him, causing severe internal injuries, including a fractured right hip, tibia and pelvis, a concussion, skull fracture and ruptured urethra. He required several surgeries and was overcome with infections and kidney failure attributed to the accident.

Officer Goldak had served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and four children. Interred: Resurrection Cemetery.