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Incident
Captain John Jordan fell to his death while patrolling a path along the Hudson River in Alpine, New Jersey.
He was walking with another patrolman when he slipped on a patch of ice and fell down a 100-foot cliff. The patrolman was able to reach his location but found that Captain Jordan had already died. His body was recovered after the patrolman went for help.
Captain Jordan was the first person employed by the Palisades Interstate Park Police and had served with the agency as its police chief for 15 years. He served as the agency's police chief and commanded the agency's patrol boat.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
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.
Captain Jordan gave the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alpine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Jordan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1915, 2 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1915, 28 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 116th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1915, 47 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 109th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 46. 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. John had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 46. 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. John had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 46. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Palisades Interstate Parkway 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
Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
