Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Abigail Powlett was shot and killed by a suspect who had overpowered her and taken her as a hostage at the Meadow Brook Village Apartments at 1001 East Front Street in Plainfield. She and another officer had responded to a call involving a man with a gun. The two officers made contact with the suspect, and as Officer Powlett searched him, the man began to resist and gained control of her service weapon. The subject held Officer Powlett on the ground with the gun pressed against her head. Other officers responded to the scene and immediately began negotiating with the man. Without warning, the man shot Officer Powlett in the head, killing her. The other officers returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect. Officer Powlett had served with the Plainfield Police Department for three years.
Survivors
She was survived by her mother, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-3E22586E- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Powlett gave the Plainfield Police Division 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Plainfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Powlett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Abigail J. Powlett 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%.
At Plainfield Police Division, 4 of 4 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. Abigail J. Powlett's cause is highlighted.
How Abigail J. Powlett Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Abigail J. Powlett is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Abigail J. Powlett was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Plainfield Police Division are honored on badge.nw.
