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Incident
Patrolman John Meyers was struck and killed by an automobile while directing traffic at Goffle Road and Warburton Avenue on Monday, September 6, 1948. At 10:04 pm, Patrolman Meyers was standing on Goffle Road when a vehicle made a left turn from Warburton Avenue in front of Patrolman Meyers. As he moved out of the way, a vehicle traveling south on Goffle Road struck him from behind, flinging him into the air. He was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to a fractured skull and broken left leg two days later. Patrolman Meyers was a United States Marine Corps World War II veteran and had served with the Hawthorne Police Department for only eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, father, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Meyers served with the Hawthorne Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hawthorne community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John L. Meyers served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
John is the only officer of Hawthorne Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 2 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1948, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 35. Of the 232 lost to accidents in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 41.3; the middle age was 33.5. John had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 35. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 14.7%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hawthorne Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Military Service
John L. Meyers served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit John L. Meyers’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Hawthorne Police Department are honored on badge.nw.