Police Officer Joseph A. Pocchio

Joseph A. Pocchio

Police Officer Joseph Pocchio was shot and killed after he stopped a speeding car. He spotted the vehicle inside of Branch's Brook Park in Newark and conducted a traffic stop. Unbeknownst to Officer Pocchio, the three occupants had just robbed the participants of a craps game at a nearby candy store. As he was talking to the 16-year-old driver in his patrol car, a 34 year old passenger walked up to his car and shot him.

The three suspects were apprehended in New York City the next day. The gunman was convicted of murder and sentenced to life plus 10 years.

Officer Pocchio had served with the Essex County Park Police Department for seven years. He was a Marine Vietnam War Veteran. He was survived by his mother and fiancee.