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Incident
Officer Abigail Powlett was shot and killed by a suspect who had overpowered her and taken her as a hostage at the Meadow Brook Village Apartments at 1001 East Front Street in Plainfield. She and another officer had responded to a call involving a man with a gun. The two officers made contact with the suspect, and as Officer Powlett searched him, the man began to resist and gained control of her service weapon. The subject held Officer Powlett on the ground with the gun pressed against her head. Other officers responded to the scene and immediately began negotiating with the man. Without warning, the man shot Officer Powlett in the head, killing her. The other officers returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect. Officer Powlett had served with the Plainfield Police Department for three years.
Survivors
She was survived by her mother, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Officer Powlett gave the Plainfield Police Division 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Plainfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Powlett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Plainfield Police Division has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Abigail is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Abigail is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Abigail is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 4 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Abigail was 33. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Abigail had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Abigail was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Abigail had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Abigail was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Abigail had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 6.8% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Fridays: 14.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Plainfield Police Division. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 9.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Her people
Plainfield Police Division has 4 officers remembered here, Abigail among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Plainfield Police Division are honored on badge.nw.
