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Incident
Patrolman Jack Wright was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two robbery suspects near the intersection of Hammond Avenue and Park Place Avenue while off duty. He had just finished his shift and was still wearing his uniform, covered by a wind-breaker, and was picking his fiancee up at a convenience store. While inside, shortly after midnight, two suspects attempted to enter the store but began to flee when they saw Patrolman Wright. Patrolman Wright gave chase and caught the suspects against a car. As he began to frisk the men one of them produced a .38 caliber handgun and shot him in the chest, fatally wounding him. Both suspects, brothers 23 and 28, were apprehended and sentenced to life. They were denied parole in 2002. One will be eligible for parole again on November 3, 2027, and the other on July 22, 2023. Patrolman Wright had served with the agency for less than 1 year.
Survivors
He was survived by his son, fiancee, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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. One record, 2 gates. Jack 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 Wright gave the Bradley Beach Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Bradley Beach 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
Jack A. Wright served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bradley Beach Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Jack is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Jack is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jack 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 1976, 5 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jack was 29. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jack had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Jack was 29. 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. Jack had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jack was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jack had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 6.4% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Mondays: 12.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Bradley Beach Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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
Bradley Beach Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jack among them.
Where
Military Service
Jack A. Wright served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jack A. Wright’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 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bradley Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
