Incident
Trooper John Anderson was shot and killed while investigating a stolen car on the Garden State Parkway. He was on patrol when he observed the car stopped in a U-turn lane around 11:00 p.m. He was shot four times and mortally wounded when he stopped to investigate. The subject fled to a nearby hotel, where he took the owner and his wife hostage. The hotel owner was able to untie himself, retrieve his rifle, and kill the subject after being held for approximately one hour. Trooper Anderson was a United States Army veteran of World War II and had served with the New Jersey State Police for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-A0F8867F- 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 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.
Trooper Anderson gave the New Jersey State Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Jersey, 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
John Anderson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Trooper John Anderson 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 New Jersey State Police, 14 of 84 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 16.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Anderson's cause is highlighted.
How John Anderson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Anderson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Anderson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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