Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Willliam Connelly was shot and killed on North 18th Street while attempting to arrest a man for driving a stolen car at about noon. The two began to struggle after the man got out of the stolen car and Sergeant Connolly was then shot. The 32-year-old suspect was apprehended by FBI agents in Newark in March of 1966. The suspect, at one time a popular boxer, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life at hard labor on December 9, 1966. Sergeant Connelly had been employed with the East Orange Police Department for 27 years.
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BO-US-NJ-EF0A9EF4- 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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Connelly gave the East Orange Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the East Orange community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Connelly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant William A. Connelly 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 East Orange Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William A. Connelly's cause is highlighted.
How William A. Connelly Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William A. Connelly is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William A. Connelly was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from East Orange Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
