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Incident
Patrolman Thomas Haughton succumbed to massive head injuries and trauma sustained when his patrol car struck a large tree at 230 Elizabeth Avenue in Westfield At 10:30 pm, Patrolman Haughton was attempting to pull over a vehicle with a broken taillight. He missed a curve and hit a tree, partially ejecting him from his patrol vehicle. He was transported to University Hospital in Newark, where he died three days later. Officer Haughton had served with the Garwood Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Haughton gave the Garwood Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Garwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Haughton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Thomas is the only officer of Garwood Police Department remembered here.
Thomas is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1995, 2 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1995, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1995, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 27. 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. Thomas had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 27. 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. Thomas had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.5% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Garwood 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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0 officers from Garwood Police Department are honored on badge.nw.