Officer Joseph Michalowski

Middlesex County Sheriff's Department

New Jersey

End of Watch: Saturday, May 8, 1943

Biographical Info

Age: 34

Tour of Duty: 4 months

Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire

Date of Incident: Saturday, May 8, 1943

Weapon Used: Officer's handgun

Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Officer Michalowski was shot and killed after being taken hostage by a prisoner who was escaping from the Middlesex County Jail. The suspect, who was in jail awaiting trial on charges of atrocious assault with the intent to kill, attacked Guard Michalowski and forced him to open a secret gun locker. After taking a gun from the locker, the suspect forced Guard Michalowski into a guard station wagon, and ordered him to drive away.

When the wagon entered the town of Highland Park, Officer Michalowski spotted a Highland Park patrolman and attempted to signal him. The suspect, seeing what was happening, shot and killed Officer Michalowski. The patrolman, alerted by the sound of the gunshots, ran to the wagon. The suspect pushed Officer Michalowski's body from the wagon and fled.

The Patrolman gave chase on the running board of a commandeered civilian auto, and then on foot through several backyards. When the suspect attempted to pull a man from his car at gunpoint, that man refused and attempted to wrestle the gun from the suspects hand. The suspect was able to break free, and fired two shots at the approaching patrolman, both of which missed. The patrolman returned fire, striking the suspect in the head. The suspect died the next day from his wound.

Officer Michalowski was serving as a temporary Officer in the Middlesex County Jail, and had served in such capacity for four months. He was survived by his wife, son and daughter.