Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Strone was shot and killed while on foot patrol on 4th Street, between Monroe Street and Hudson Street, shortly before midnight. Officers began searching for him at 12:15 am when he failed to check in and found his body at approximately 2:00 am. He had been shot in the back and neck with his own service weapon. Four nights later an off-duty officer at a local bar overheard two brothers bragging to others about murdering Patrolman Strone. They said they killed Patrolman Strone when he stopped them shortly after they had burglarized a candy store. The off-duty officer had both men arrested and they confessed to the murder. On March 1st, 1959, both, brothers, and ex-convicts, 37 and 42, were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On December !6, 1960, they were convicted of the burglary that led to Patrolman Strone's murder and received an additional 2 to 3 years in prison. On August 3, 1973, one escaped from a prison work farm in Trenton. He was captured in Morgan City, Louisiana, on December 13, 1973. Patrolman Strone had served with the Passaic Police Department for only five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two infant daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-628E96BF- 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 Strone served with the Passaic Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Passaic community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Strone.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert D. Strone 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 Passaic Police Department, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert D. Strone's cause is highlighted.
How Robert D. Strone Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert D. Strone is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert D. Strone was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Passaic Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
