Mount Holly Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch: Friday, March 28, 1975
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 28, 1975
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Committed to mental institution
Patrolman Donald Aleshire and Officer William Wurst of the Hainesport Police Department were shot and killed by a sniper. Officer John Holmes, also of the Mount Holly Police Department, was wounded on the same day and paralyzed before succumbing to his injuries 17 years later.
The mother of the 23-year-old suspect said he thought he was back in Vietnam. In 1977 he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed. He was still institutionalized in 2021.
Patrolman Aleshire had served with the Mount Holly Police Department for three months and had previously served with the Philadelphia Police Department. On the day of his death, which was his 30th birthday, he had volunteered to work overtime. He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter.