Roll of Honor
William J. Cady
Incident
Patrolman William Cady was struck by a car and killed while on a traffic stop on I-287 near the Stelton Road entrance ramp at 12:13 am. During the stop, another vehicle, driven by a man who was under the influence of marijuana, struck Patrolman Cady. He was transported to Muhlenberg Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries six hours later. The suspect was found guilty of death by auto and sentenced to six months in a county work camp and had his license suspended for six months. Patrolman Cady was a combat United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the South Plainfield Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-CF88C060- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Cady gave the South Plainfield Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Plainfield community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William J. Cady served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman William J. Cady 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 97,759 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 South Plainfield Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Cady's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Cady Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Cady is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Cady was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Military Service
William J. Cady served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit William J. Cady’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from South Plainfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
