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Incident
Chief O'Sullivan was killed in a motorcycle accident while returning to the police department after visiting the Westfield Police Department official business. The accident occurred when his front tire blew out. Chief O'Sullivan had served with the agency for 6 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Chief of Police O'Sullivan gave the Scotch Plains Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Scotch Plains community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police O'Sullivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Florance is the only officer of Scotch Plains Police Department remembered here.
Florance is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Florance is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Florance 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 1921, 4 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1921, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1921, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Florance was 38. 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. Florance had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Florance was 38. 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. Florance had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Florance was 38. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Florance had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Scotch Plains 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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