Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Walter Rusinak and Deputy Chief Robert Shanley were shot and killed were shot and killed while responding to a domestic call at 22 Mercer Street. The subject was upset over custody of his daughter and attempted to kill his estranged wife. She managed to escape while her father tried to take the rifle away. During the scuffle, the father was shot and killed. When officers arrived, the subject fired through the front window, wounding a sergeant, who was one of his friends, wounding a patrolman, and killing a 13-year-old neighbor who was playing outside. Trying to surprise the shooter, Patrolman Rusinak entered through the back door but was shot in the head and died instantly. The subject escaped through the back, using his daughter as a shield. While brandishing his firearm, he fired at Deputy Chief Shanley, who was shot through the heart. Officers chased him throughout the town, and after a few blocks, he left his daughter on the street and was able to allude the police. He turned himself in a few hours later. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to death, and executed on March 26, 1945. Patrolman Rusinak was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Carteret Police Department for 21 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-F09A0D3D- 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 Rusinak gave the Carteret Police Department 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carteret 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
Walter Rusinak served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Walter Rusinak is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Carteret Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Rusinak's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Rusinak Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Rusinak is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Rusinak was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Military Service
Walter Rusinak served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Walter Rusinak’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 Carteret Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
