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Patrolman George Dunham | Franklin Township (Somerset County) Police Department, New Jersey
Franklin Township (Somerset County) Police Department, New Jersey

Patrolman

George Dunham

Franklin Township (Somerset County) Police Department, New Jersey

End of Watch: Sunday, July 10, 1960

Biographical Info

Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 10, 1960
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Committed suicide

Patrolman George Dunham and Patrolman John Lebed were shot and killed while escorting a man to get bail money.

The man had been arrested by the officers after they received a tip that he was carrying a concealed weapon and driving with a revoked license. After the arrest, the subject was taken to the police station where he was booked and told he would have to pay a $250 bond. To obtain the funds, the officers escorted him to his home at 140 Montgomery Street, in New Brunswick, where he then shot and killed both of them. The man fled and was later surrounded in Union Township.

To avoid capture, he shot himself in the head, causing a severe wound. While on his deathbed, he admitted to the murders of Patrolman Lebed and Patrolman Dunham as well as two previous murders.

Patrolman Lebed and Patrolman Dunham were honored by having a public park, Dunham-Lebed Park and two public roads, Lebed Drive and Dunham Street, named after them.

Patrolman Dunham was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for two years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.