Newark Police Division, New Jersey
End of Watch: Monday, February 10, 1958
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: February 10, 1958
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Charged
Detective Howard Downes was killed when his unmarked patrol car was struck by a car that ran a red light at the intersection of 18th Avenue at South 18th Street.
The impact of the collision caused Detective Downes and his partner to be thrown from the vehicle. His partner sustained serious injuries but recovered.
The driver of the car that caused the collision had been drinking but was determined not to be drunk at the time. He was charged with causing death by auto.
Detective Downes had been with the Newark Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and son.