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Incident
Patrolman Burtis Birkhoff was killed in an automobile collision while pursuing several men who fled on foot after abandoning a stolen car. He had commandeered a car and was riding on the running board as the driver drove after the men. The driver of the car stopped suddenly to avoid hitting the suspect and Patrolman Birkhoff was thrown to the ground at the intersection of 1st Street and Bergen Street. Patrolman Birkhoff had served with the Passaic Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Patrolman Birkhoff gave the Passaic Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Passaic community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Birkhoff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Passaic Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Burtis is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Burtis is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Burtis 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 1935, 5 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1935, 99 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 8th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1935, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Burtis was 36. 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. Burtis had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Burtis was 36. 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. Burtis had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Burtis was 36. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Burtis had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 6.6% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Mondays: 17.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Passaic Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 39.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
His people
Passaic Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Burtis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Passaic Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
