Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant John Black and Patrolman Clarence Weir were shot and killed while assisting other officers attempt to apprehend a fugitive who had escaped from prison and was wanted for robbery. When the officers arrived at the house they allowed the man's female acquaintance to get dressed. As they waited the woman suddenly appeared and opened fire, wounding one of the officers. The male suspect then held the other officers at gunpoint and ordered them away. As they left he pushed his gun into Sergeant Black's chest. As Sergeant Black attempted to push it away he was shot. Patrolman Weir ran into another room where he was shot and killed by the female suspect. Both suspects were arrested and sent to trial only a few days later. The male suspect was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair January 15th, 1924. Even though an officer testified that he saw the female suspect shoot Patrolman Weir she was acquitted. Detective Black had serve with the Jersey City Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He a widower and was survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-274F138A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Black gave the Jersey City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jersey City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Black.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant John Black is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Jersey City Police Department, 14 of 41 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 34.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Black's cause is highlighted.
How John Black Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1924
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Black is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Black was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
40 officers from Jersey City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
