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Incident
Guard Joseph Michalowski was shot and killed after being taken hostage by a prisoner who was escaping from the Middlesex County Jail.
The inmate, who was in jail awaiting trial on charges of atrocious assault with the intent to kill, attacked Guard Michalowski and forced him to open a secret gun locker. After taking a gun from the locker, the man forced Guard Michalowski into a guard station wagon and ordered him to drive away.
When the wagon entered the town of Highland Park, Guard Michalowski spotted a Highland Park patrolman and attempted to signal him near the intersection Raritan Avenue and Sixth Street. The subject, seeing what was happening, shot and killed Guard Michalowski. The patrolman, alerted by the sound of the gunshots, ran to the vehicle as the subject pushed Guard Michalowski's body from it and fled.
The patrolman gave chase on the running board of a commandeered civilian automobile, and then on foot through several backyards. The subject attempted to pull a man from his car at gunpoint but the man resisted and attempted to wrestle the gun from the subject's hand. The man was able to break free and fired two shots at the approaching patrolman, both of which missed. The patrolman returned fire, striking the subject in the head. The subject died the next day from his wound.
Guard Michalowski had served as a temporary guard in the Middlesex County Jail for four months.
The inmate, who was in jail awaiting trial on charges of atrocious assault with the intent to kill, attacked Guard Michalowski and forced him to open a secret gun locker. After taking a gun from the locker, the man forced Guard Michalowski into a guard station wagon and ordered him to drive away.
The patrolman gave chase on the running board of a commandeered civilian automobile, and then on foot through several backyards. The subject attempted to pull a man from his car at gunpoint but the man resisted and attempted to wrestle the gun from the subject's hand. The man was able to break free and fired two shots at the approaching patrolman, both of which missed. The patrolman returned fire, striking the subject in the head. The subject died the next day from his wound.
Guard Michalowski had served as a temporary guard in the Middlesex County Jail for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Guard Michalowski served with the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the New Brunswick community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Michalowski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joseph is the only officer of Middlesex County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Joseph is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1943, 1 officer in NJ was killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1943, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1943, 86 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 40. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Joseph was 40. 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. Joseph had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 0.3 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%. Saturdays: 10.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Middlesex County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Middlesex County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.