Prev
Incident
Patrolman Van Zilen was killed in an automobile accident while escorting the Chief of another agency to an address in the city of Leonia. Patrolman Van Zilen had been with the agency for one year.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpt1zm42smahfn6c3c40- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Theodore. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Van Zilen gave the Leonia Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Leonia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Van Zilen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Theodore is the only officer of Leonia Police Department remembered here.
Theodore is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Theodore is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Theodore is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 2 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1918, 39 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 108th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1918, 44 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Theodore was 37. 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. Theodore had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theodore was 37. 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. Theodore had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theodore was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Theodore had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.1% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 15.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Leonia 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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Leonia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.