Roll of Honor
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
- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph S. Wargo Jr. 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph S. Wargo Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Joseph S. Wargo Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph S. Wargo Jr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph S. Wargo Jr. was killed by automobile; narcotics involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Mount Arlington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.