Roll of Honor
George Dunham
Incident
Patrolman George Dunham and Patrolman John Lebed were shot and killed while escorting a man to get bail money. The man had been arrested by the officers after they received a tip that he was carrying a concealed weapon and driving with a revoked license. After the arrest, the subject was taken to the police station where he was booked and told he would have to pay a $250 bond. To obtain the funds, the officers escorted him to his home at 140 Montgomery Street, in Highland Park, where he then shot and killed both of them. The man fled and was later surrounded in Union Township. To avoid capture, he shot himself in the head, causing a severe wound. While on his deathbed, he admitted to the murders of Patrolman Lebed and Patrolman Dunham as well as two previous murders. Patrolman Lebed and Patrolman Dunham were honored by having a public park, Dunham-Lebed Park, and two public roads, Lebed Drive and Dunham Street, named after them. Patrolman Dunham was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-1BFCDA6D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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 Dunham gave the Franklin Township Police Department (Somerset County) 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Somerset 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
George Dunham served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman George Dunham is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 officers honored here.
In NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 18.5 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At Franklin Township Police Department (Somerset County), 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Dunham's cause is highlighted.
How George Dunham Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Dunham is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Dunham was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
George Dunham served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit George Dunham’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Franklin Township Police Department (Somerset County) are honored on badge.nw.
