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Incident
Police Officer Thomas Ennis was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery of a diner in the 500 block of Main Street while walking his beat shortly after 6:00 am.
Two suspects were in the process of robbing the diner and had taken the three workers into a back room and were attempting to flee when Officer Ennis encountered them in the doorway. During the ensuing struggle Officer Ennis was shot once in the abdomen. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and wounded both suspects as they fled.
Both men were arrested the following day. They were both convicted of murder, sentenced to death, and subsequently executed together on April 1st, 1938.
Officer Ennis had served with the East Orange Police Department for 10 years.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Ennis gave the East Orange Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Orange community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ennis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East Orange Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1937, 1 officer in NJ was killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 39. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Thomas was 39. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Sundays: 13.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at East Orange Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
East Orange Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-WT
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from East Orange Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
