Detective

James Dinley

Jersey City Police Department — Jersey City, NJ
Felonious
End of Watch November 6, 1921
The Vigil Panel 42 ›
Gender Male

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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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 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

Type Police Department
Location Jersey City, Hudson County, 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

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Jersey City Police Department has 41 officers remembered here, James among them.

V

Where

Detective James Dinley

Jersey City Police Department · End of Watch November 6, 1921

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E

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