Roll of Honor
Robert J. Heavey
Incident
Juvenile Detention Officer / Counselor Robert Heavey died as the result of injuries sustained 16 days earlier when he was assaulted by an inmate at the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center.
On January 3rd, Officer Heavey and several other officers were attempting to break up a large fight in the detention center's day room when he was punched twice in the head by one of the inmates. He was transported to the local hospital and treated for a large bruise and swelling to his left eye, and later released.
He returned to the hospital the following day to undergo surgery to his eye socket, which had been fractured. While waiting for the surgery to begin his condition deteriorated and became unconscious. He remained in a coma until passing away from the injuries.
Two juvenile inmates were subsequently charged as adults in connection with his murder. Both were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years prison.
Officer Heavey had served as a part-time juvenile detention officer for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NJ-A4CECA2E- Stewardship
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- 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.
Juvenile Detention Officer Heavey served with the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center.
Thank you for your service to the Morristown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Juvenile Detention Officer Heavey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Juvenile Detention Officer Robert J. Heavey 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert J. Heavey's cause is highlighted.
How Robert J. Heavey Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 10 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert J. Heavey is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert J. Heavey was killed by person.