New Jersey State Police, New Jersey
End of Watch: Friday, October 24, 1997
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 5 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 5059
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 24, 1997
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Shot himself
Trooper Scott Gonzalez was shot and killed while pursuing a robbery suspect at O'Brien Road, a dead-end in Mansfield Township, at 5:25 pm.
Trooper Gonzalez spotted a pickup truck that fit the description of a vehicle used in a robbery a few hours earlier in Independence Township. He called in for assistance and began to pursue the truck, which sped up in an attempt to escape. The driver of the truck pulled into a dead-end road, and Trooper Gonzalez pulled in behind him, blocking his exit. The suspect abruptly made a U-turn and rammed Trooper Gonzalez's patrol car. The impact caused the patrol car's airbag to deploy, momentarily dazing him. It also jammed the doors closed, trapping Trooper Gonzalez inside the patrol car. The suspect then exited his truck and shot Trooper Gonzalez multiple times with a shotgun while he was still in his patrol car. The fatal shot struck Trooper Gonzalez in the head from less than five feet away.
Trooper Gonzalez was able to return fire and shot at the suspect seven times from inside the patrol car but was unable to strike the suspect. The suspect then tried to flee. He drove down the road but was stopped by other officers. The suspect inadvertently shot himself while trying to exit the vehicle and shoot responding officers.
Trooper Gonzalez had been with the New Jersey State Police for five years and previously served with the Plainfield Police Department for six months. He was survived by his wife.