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Incident
Sergeant Fassnacht drowned while he and two other divers were clearing an intake screen in Weequahic Park Lake.
Survivors
Sergeant Fassnacht was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqf2rnz5pkxkn543d234- Stewardship
- 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.
Sergeant Fassnacht gave the Essex County Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Fassnacht.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Essex County Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James 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 1993, 2 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1993, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1993, 69 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 75th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 41. 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. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 41. 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. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 41. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.8% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 11.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Essex County 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
Essex County Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Essex County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
