Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Snow was shot and killed while working an extra duty assignment at a local check cashing store. He was transporting money from the bank, in uniform and in his patrol car, when two men attempted to rob him as he arrived at the check cashing store. As they tried to take the money one 37-year-old suspect shot him in the head. The two suspects and two other men, who planed the robbery, were apprehended by FBI agents, three in New York City and one in Denver, Colorado. All four ranged in age from 23 to 37. The 37-year-old was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The other three, who testified against him, were convicted of robbery and only served a few years in prison. The suspected killer always maintained it was his 23-year-old companion and not him who killed Officer Snow. He found compelling evidence that surfaced after his conviction as well as evidence the prosecution withheld. In July of 1989 his information made it to the desk of a Federal Judge who had him immediately released. For the next eight years the Hudson County Prosecutors office tried in vain to have him sent back to prison. In 1998 he was charged a second time with Officer Snow's murder. On July 27, 1998, a jury acquitted him. He died of a heart attack in 2002. Officer Snow had served with the Newark Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-DD4B1EDA- 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Snow gave the Newark Police Division 23 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 Snow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John William Snow 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 97,756 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 William Snow's cause is highlighted.
How John William Snow Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John William Snow is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John William Snow 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.
