Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Gutekunst was shot and killed while questioning a man who had bumped the vehicle that Officer Gutekunst was driving. The suspect had also been involved in other fender benders immediately prior to striking Officer Gutekunst's car. As Officer Gutekunst attempted to question the man the suspect shot him once in the chest. The suspect fled but was arrested three hours later by his uncle, a Newark detective, in a nearby tavern. The 26-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 to 30 years in prison July 28, 1966. In 1978 he received an additional three years for escape. On November 23, 1983, a few weeks after being paroled, he was charged along with his brother and several other family members with federal narcotics violations. He was sent to prison for several years. Since the 1950s his crime family has flooded our nation with the painkiller oxycontin. Most of his family including him are in either in prison, have recently been released, or have died in prison. Officer Gutekunst had been with the agency for only 3 weeks.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NJ-87B7657B- Stewardship
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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.
Police Officer Gutekunst served with the Newark Police Division.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gutekunst.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John C. Gutekunst 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 C. Gutekunst's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Gutekunst Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Gutekunst is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John C. Gutekunst was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
57 officers from Newark Police Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
