Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain William Hemsing succumbed to a knife wound sustained three years earlier when he was attacked by an inmate in the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton.
The inmate was suspected of having a knife, and while he was exercising the guards searched his cell, but did not find it. After the search, Captain Hemsing took the inmate to the prison's rotunda and had him face the wall to search him. The man suddenly turned, threatened Captain Hemsing, and then stabbed him in the throat, causing a severe gash. Other guards immediately subdued the inmate and disarmed him.
Captain Hemsing went insane after suffering the wound and was taken to the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, where he remained until succumbing to his wounds three years later.
Captain Hemsing was a veteran of the Civil War. He had served with the New Jersey State Prison for 19 years and had previously served as chief of police in Camden, New Jersey.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-C41B1FD3- 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.
Captain Hemsing gave the New Jersey Department of Corrections 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Jersey. Thank you 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
William H. Hemsing served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Captain William H. Hemsing 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 Department of Corrections, 16 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William H. Hemsing's cause is highlighted.
How William H. Hemsing Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Hemsing is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William H. Hemsing was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from New Jersey Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
