- Two Newark officers shot during evening patrol at 6:37 PM
- 1 officer deceased; 1 hospitalized with critical injuries
- Fraternal Order of Police confirms line-of-duty deaths rising statewide
A Friday evening patrol turned tragic when gunfire erupted near Newark’s Broadway and Carteret intersection. According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, both officers were rushed to University Hospital, where one succumbed to injuries – marking the city’s first line-of-duty death since 2020. The shooting occurred amid heightened concerns about violence against law enforcement, with New Jersey officer assaults up 14% since 2022.
Robert W. Fox of the Fraternal Order of Police emphasized the risks officers face daily, stating: This heartbreaking loss underscores the urgent need for enhanced protective measures.Newark PD recently expanded body camera coverage and crisis intervention training following a 2019 Jersey City shootout that claimed two officers’ lives. However, Friday’s incident reveals persistent challenges in urban policing environments.
Regional data shows Middlesex County saw a 22% reduction in officer injuries after implementing real-time crime center technologies in 2023. Experts suggest Newark could adopt similar AI-driven patrol routing systems to minimize high-risk exposures. Community leaders are organizing vigils while calling for bipartisan support on statewide officer safety legislation stalled since February.