Trooper Arthur J. Abagnale, Jr.

Trooper Arthur J. Abagnale, Jr.

New Jersey State Police, New Jersey

End of Watch Monday, June 11, 1962

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Arthur J. Abagnale, Jr.

Trooper Arthur Abagnale, Trooper Joseph DeFrino, and Trooper Milan Simcak were killed in an automobile accident on the New Jersey Turnpike near the Passaic River Bridge in Kearny.

The troopers were accompanying a dump truck, with red lights flashing and traveling at 15- 20 miles an hour when a bus rounded a curve, hit a car, and then rolled onto the cruiser and pushed it into the truck. The driver of the bus stated that his brakes failed. The troopers were pronounced dead at the scene.

Trooper Abagnale was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the New Jersey State Police for 16 months. He was survived by his father, stepbrother, and fiancee.

Bio

  • Age 26
  • Tour 1 year, 4 months
  • Badge 1671
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Automobile crash

automobile accident, mechanical failure, vehicle crash

Most Recent Reflection

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On this 58th year of yours and your partners untimely departure, I would like to say thank you for your sacrifice and let you know that time will never erase your memory and heroism.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo (Retired)
Delaware State Police

June 11, 2020

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