Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John Gottfried was shot and killed when he attempted to stop a bank robbery. Officer Gottfried, a member of the Emergency Bureau, had gone to a nearby bank on his lunch break to cash a check. While waiting in line two suspects, armed with revolvers, entered to rob the bank. The two suspects 16 and 27 ordered everyone to lay on the floor. Officer Gottfried had his personal coat on which hid his uniform and gun belt. As the robbers were leaving he took action and shot the older robber in the hip. The robber returned fire hitting Officer Gottfried five times. He then walked over to Officer Gottfried, who lay dying, shot him three more times, and laughed as he kicked him several times. The two suspects were arrested two days later. Authorities would not release the name of the 16-year-old. It was soon discovered the two suspects were members of a new Muslim sect called the "New World of Islam". The next day the 42-year-old leader who planned the robbery was arrested and charged with Officer Gottfried's murder. All three along with more than 20 others had been robbing banks for several months so they could establish a community just for them and new recruits in South Carolina. Within several weeks FBI agents and law enforcement in New Jersey and other states arrested them all. Most are serving long sentences in state and federal prisons. The suspect who killed Officer Gottfried was convicted of murder, several other crimes, and sentenced to life. He will be eligible for parole on February 18, 2030. If he gets out federal authorities will be waiting for him for the bank robberies. The leader who planned the robbery was also sentenced to life. It is not known what happened to the 16-year-old. Members of the New World of Islam were also responsible for the murder of Sergeant Alfred L. Sellick of the Montclair Police Department on January 12, 1976. Officer Gottfried had served with the agency for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-0FC31074- 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Gottfried gave the Newark Police Division 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gottfried.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John F. Gottfried 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 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 F. Gottfried's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Gottfried Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Gottfried is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Gottfried was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
57 officers from Newark Police Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
