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Incident
Patrolman Robert Strone was shot and killed while on foot patrol on 4th Street, between Monroe Street and Hudson Street, shortly before midnight. Officers began searching for him at 12:15 am when he failed to check in and found his body at approximately 2:00 am. He had been shot in the back and neck with his own service weapon. Four nights later an off-duty officer at a local bar overheard two brothers bragging to others about murdering Patrolman Strone. They said they killed Patrolman Strone when he stopped them shortly after they had burglarized a candy store. The off-duty officer had both men arrested and they confessed to the murder. On March 1st, 1959, both, brothers, and ex-convicts, 37 and 42, were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On December !6, 1960, they were convicted of the burglary that led to Patrolman Strone's murder and received an additional 2 to 3 years in prison. On August 3, 1973, one escaped from a prison work farm in Trenton. He was captured in Morgan City, Louisiana, on December 13, 1973. Patrolman Strone had served with the Passaic Police Department for only five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two infant daughters.
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.
Patrolman Strone served with the Passaic Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Passaic community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Strone.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Passaic Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1958, 3 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1958, 63 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 119th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1958, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 27. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Robert was 27. 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. Robert had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 6.4% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Thursdays: 13.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Passaic Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% 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.
His people
Passaic Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Passaic Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
