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Incident
Motorcycle Officer Joseph Lewis was fatally injured while chasing a speeder along St. Georges Avenue at Route 9 in Avenel at 8:20 am. His motorcycle crashed into another motorcycle and then hit a truck. He was transported to Perth Amboy Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds 10 hours later. Motorcycle Officer Lewis served with the Woodbridge Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, and a sister. His nephew was also serving with the Woodbridge Police Department at the time of his death, and his grandson went on to serve as a law enforcement officer. In 2022, the local concert venue was renamed the Joseph R. Lewis Concert Field.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, two brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Motorcycle Officer Lewis gave the Woodbridge Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Woodbridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Motorcycle Officer Lewis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Woodbridge Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 8 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1932, 110 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1932, 121 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 35. Of the 232 lost to accidents in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 41.3; the middle age was 33.5. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 16.7%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Woodbridge Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Woodbridge Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Woodbridge Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
