James Dinley

Jersey City Police Department — Jersey City, NJ

Felonious

End of Watch November 6, 1921

The Vigil Panel 42 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 40

Incident

Detective James Dinley was shot and killed after arresting a suspect for passing bad checks. Detective Dinley had just arrested the suspect at his home, on the 100 block of Vroom Street, for passing two forged checks to a store owner. As Detective Dinley was removing the suspect to the station house, the suspect was able to draw a hidden automatic pistol. Detective Dinley and the suspect struggled for the weapon, but the suspect was able to fire, killing Detective Dinley. The suspect fled on foot. He was later apprehended with his wife led police to the location where he was hiding. A month later the 25-year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life.

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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.
Detective Dinley served with the Jersey City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jersey City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Dinley.

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

Agency

Department Jersey City Police Department

Location Jersey City, NJ

Platform Identity jpd.hudson.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 6, 1921

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Detective James Dinley 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 Jersey City Police Department, 14 of 41 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 34.1% of this agency's fallen.

Jersey City Police Department

of 41 officers

34.1% Felonious

NJ — Statewide

264

of 646 officers

40.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious