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Incident
Police Officer William Van Arsdale drowned after falling into an ice-covered canal while making his rounds of the docks and coal yards.
It is believed that he was attempting to maneuver around a fence when he fell through the ice at approximately 2:00 am. His body was located the next day after a worker noticed a hole in the ice and a hat frozen into the ice nearby.
Officer Van Arsdale was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Officer Van Arsdale was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
170 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Van Arsdale served with the New Brunswick Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Brunswick community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
New Brunswick Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1856, 1 officer in NJ was lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1856, 4 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 145th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1856, 11 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 150th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 49. 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.
William was 49. 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.
William was 49. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 10.1% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 16.7%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at New Brunswick 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
New Brunswick Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
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1 officer from New Brunswick Police Department are honored on badge.nw.