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Al-Mustafa Is-Salaam Pearson
Incident
Corrections Officer Al-Mustafa Pearson died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while working at the Essex County Department of Corrections at 354 Doremus Avenue in Newark.
Officer Pearson had served with the Essex County Department of Corrections for over 24 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Corrections Officer Al-Mustafa Is-Salaam Pearson died on October 6, 2020 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 46.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, two brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqzwt64mxv65b10yf0fy- 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 Al-Mustafa. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Al-Mustafa is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Corrections Officer Pearson gave the Essex County Department of Corrections 24 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Jersey. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Pearson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Essex County Department of Corrections has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Al-Mustafa is one of 77 officers lost to illness in NJ, 11.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Al-Mustafa is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Al-Mustafa is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 20 officers in NJ were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2020, 346 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2020, 347 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Al-Mustafa was 46. Of the 75 lost to illness in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 47 and 61.5; the middle age was 52. Al-Mustafa had served 24.5 years; the middle length of service was 23 years.
Al-Mustafa was 46. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Al-Mustafa had served 24.5 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Al-Mustafa was 46. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Al-Mustafa had served 24.5 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NJ; April holds the most, 16.9%. Tuesdays: 13%.
October holds 14.9% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
October holds 12.6% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Essex County Department of Corrections, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 11.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Essex County Department of Corrections has 3 officers remembered here, Al-Mustafa among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Essex County Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
