Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Gleason was beaten to death by a group of youths at a housing complex. Patrolman Gleason was part of a mobilization at the complex as a result of two days of civil unrest. He was attacked at the intersection of West Second Street and Plainfield Avenue. The subjects took his service revolver and shot him before beating him to death. The suspects were found guilty of Patrolman Gleason's murder and sent to prison. They were released after serving their sentence. Patrolman Gleason was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War and had served with the Plainfield Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-ED2CD29E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 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.
Patrolman Gleason gave the Plainfield Police Division 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Plainfield community, 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 Vincent Gleason, Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman John Vincent Gleason, Jr. is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.
In NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 18.5 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At Plainfield Police Division, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Vincent Gleason, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Vincent Gleason, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Vincent Gleason, Jr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Vincent Gleason, Jr. was killed by person.
Incident Location
Military Service
John Vincent Gleason, Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Vincent Gleason, Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Plainfield Police Division are honored on badge.nw.
