Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Gaffney succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night as he and another officer attempted to question three men in the Central Railroad yards at Lafayette Street. The officers were following the three men when one of the men suddenly opened fire on them, striking Detective Gaffney in the abdomen. The other officer returned fire but did not strike the suspects. Detective Gaffney was transported to St. James Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following night at 1830 hours. Detective Gaffney had been with the agency for 12 years and was assigned to the Detective Bureau.
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Detective Gaffney gave the Newark Police Division 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Gaffney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective John J. Gaffney is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Newark Police Division, 28 of 58 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Gaffney's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Gaffney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Gaffney is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Gaffney was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
57 officers from Newark Police Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
