Union City Police Department, New Jersey
End of Watch: Friday, January 21, 1938
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 21, 1938
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Detective Arthur Materka was shot and killed while investigating a series of robberies that had occurred in Hudson County and Bergen County.
He had taken up a hidden position in the rear of a grocery store at the intersection of 21st Street and Hudson Boulevard after receiving information that the store may be robbed. A short time later a man entered and attempted to rob the store. The subject forced the store's owner to the rear of the building.
Based on a pre-arranged plan with Detective Materka, the owner dove into a sideroom as Detective Materka confronted the robber. The suspect shot at him twice with a .45 caliber handgun. Despite returning fire with his shotgun, Detective Materka was struck once in the head and killed. The suspect was later apprehended.
Detective Materka was survived by his wife and five sisters. He was a World War I hero.