Roll of Honor
Francis J. Greechan
Incident
Inspector Frank Greechan was killed in a vehicle crash as he and two other inspectors pursued a speeding vehicle in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey.
The three inspectors were returning to Paterson at the end of their shift when they attempted to stop the speeding vehicle. The vehicle refused to stop and the inspectors pursued it along Ringwood Avenue. As the vehicles approached Posts Brook a child ran into the street, causing the inspectors' vehicle to take evasive action. The vehicle crashed partially through the bridge railing, and all three inspectors were ejected from the vehicle.
Inspector Greechan was thrown approximately 25 feed and landed in the bed of the brook ten feet below the bridge. Inspector Greechan was killed instantly.
Inspector Greechan had served with the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles for only six weeks.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and two siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-581249D2- 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 Francis. 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.
Inspector Greechan served with the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Jersey. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Greechan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Inspector Francis J. Greechan is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NJ, 258 of 646 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 39.9% of this state's fallen. That is 8.9 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles - Highway Patrol, 2 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis J. Greechan's cause is highlighted.
How Francis J. Greechan Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Francis J. Greechan is highlighted in Jun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles - Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
