Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Special Officer

Ronald P. Kleber

Middletown Police Department — Middletown, NJ

Felonious

End of Watch October 23, 1982

Age 37

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Badge 340

The Vigil Panel 126 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Special Officer Ronald Kleber was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic. The driver was immediately arrested and charged with death by auto, DWI, and other offenses. The 26-year-old driver was only convicted of drunk driving. He was fined $250 and lost his license for six months. Officer Kleber had been with the Middletown Police Department for 15 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NJ-8777DEA1
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 Ronald. 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.
Special Officer Kleber gave the Middletown Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Middletown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Kleber.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Middletown Police Department

Location Middletown, NJ

Platform Identity mpd.monmouth.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 23, 1982

Tour of Duty 15 yrs

Age 37

Badge Number 340

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Fined $250.00

Special Officer Ronald P. Kleber 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 Middletown Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Middletown Police Department

of 2 officers

50% Felonious

NJ — Statewide

264

of 646 officers

40.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald P. Kleber's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Ronald P. Kleber Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Fined $250.00

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald P. Kleber is highlighted in Oct.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald P. Kleber was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Middletown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.