Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Patrolman

Joseph S. Wargo, Jr.

Mount Arlington Police Department — Mount Arlington, NJ

Felonious

End of Watch October 16, 2011

Age 37

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

The Vigil Panel 160 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Wargo was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a drunk driver on I-80, near exit 30, at about 12:15 am.

The driver, who was under the influence of four narcotics at the time, was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control and crossed the median. The vehicle struck Patrolman Wargo's patrol car head-on and pushed it into a wooded area. Patrolman Wargo was flown to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

In February 2013 the subject pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Patrolman Wargo had served with the Mount Arlington Police Department for 10 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NJ-7A8BFDF6
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wargo gave the Mount Arlington Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Arlington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wargo.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Mount Arlington Police Department

Location Mount Arlington, NJ

Platform Identity mapd.morris.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 16, 2011

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Vehicular assault

Weapon Automobile; Narcotics involved

Offender Sentenced to 20 years

Patrolman Joseph S. Wargo, Jr. 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%.

Mount Arlington Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

NJ — Statewide

264

of 646 officers

40.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph S. Wargo, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Joseph S. Wargo, Jr. Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 20 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph S. Wargo, Jr. is highlighted in Oct.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph S. Wargo, Jr. was killed by automobile; narcotics involved.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518