Police Officer Benjamin Ellsden
Newark Police Department
New Jersey
End of Watch: Thursday, July 13, 1876

Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 2 weeks
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, July 13, 1876
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Killed by mob

Officer Ellsden was shot and killed when he and another officer attempted to serve a warrant at the home of three brothers. The brothers opened fire on the officers with revolvers, killing Officer Ellsden and wounding his partner. The three suspects then ran to a nearby factory to seek revenge on the man who had sworn out the warrant. On the way to the factory they fired their weapons indiscriminately, killing two citizens.

Once they arrived at the factory they ran out of ammunition. The factory workers then chased the three to the river bank and stoned them before drowning them in the river.

Officer Ellsden had served with the agency for only two weeks.