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Incident
Patrolman Michael Dudash succumbed to injuries he received in a motorcycle crash while responding to an automobile collision on Route 27 during a period of heavy fog. His motorcycle struck a disabled vehicle that was stopped in the roadway. He was transported to St. Peter's Hospital, where he died from his injuries the next day. At the time of his death, Edison Township was named Raritan Township. The town was renamed to Edison in 1954. He was the third officer hired when the police department was formed in 1923. Patrolman Dudash had served with the Raritan Township Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife and five children. One of his sons and his grandson went on to serve with the Edison Police Department. Dudash Park is named in honor of Patrolman Dudash.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Dudash gave the Edison Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Edison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Dudash.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Edison Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Michael is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Michael is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 6 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1924, 86 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1924, 98 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Michael was 39. 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. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 39. 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. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 39. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.1% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 12.8%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Edison Police Department, the most common cause.
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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Edison Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Edison Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
