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Incident
Officer Matthew Melchionda was killed in an automobile crash while responding to assist undercover detectives in conducting a traffic stop. The detectives, who were assigned to the Auto Larceny Unit, were preparing to stop a suspicious vehicle and requested a marked patrol car.
Officer Melchionda activated his emergency equipment and began to respond to the location. While he was traveling on Norwood Avenue, he passed one vehicle that failed to completely yield to him. After passing the vehicle, he came upon a second vehicle that was traveling slowly down the road. As he attempted to pass that vehicle, it began to make a left turn.
The vehicle struck Officer Melchionda's patrol car just behind the right front wheel, causing the patrol car to spin around and strike a tree on the driver's side door. Officer Melchionda was killed instantly.
No charges were filed against the two drivers who failed to yield as Officer Melchionda passed them.
Officer Melchionda had served with the Watchung Police Department for 6 years. He is survived by his wife, parents, and brother. His brother also serves on the Watchung Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, and brother.
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.
Police Officer Melchionda gave the Watchung Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Watchung community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Melchionda.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Matthew is the only officer of Watchung Police Department remembered here.
Matthew is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2006, 2 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 2006, 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 2006, 80 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Matthew was 31. 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. Matthew had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 31. 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. Matthew had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 31. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Matthew had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.5% of these deaths in NJ, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.7%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Watchung 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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0 officers from Watchung Police Department are honored on badge.nw.