New Jersey Department of Corrections, New Jersey
End of Watch: Thursday, December 2, 1948
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: November 6, 1945
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Convicted
Deputy Keeper Joseph Peto succumbed to injuries suffered three years earlier when he was severely beaten by four inmates during an escape from the New Jersey State Prison Farm in Bordentown.
The prisoners beat Keeper Peto into unconsciousness and fractured his skull before they stole his car and fled from the prison farm. They later broke into a farmhouse and beat an elderly couple before stealing their vehicle. They were captured several days later in New Brunswick. They were all convicted of beating the elderly couple and theft of their car, as well as the beating of Keeper Peto and had over 20 years added to their original sentences.
Deputy Keeper Peto was unable to return to work and his condition deteriorated until he succumbed to his injuries on December 2nd, 1948. He was survived by his wife and seven step-children.