Inspector Kieran Tyon Shields

Kieran Tyon Shields

Inspector Kieran Shields was shot and killed while involved in a foot pursuit of a suspect in a residential area.

Inspector Shields was killed by two blasts from a shotgun as he responded to a report of shots fired. After a witness said the gunman had fled behind an abandoned home at 170-172 Taylor Street, the officer chased after the suspect.

The suspect was hiding inside the abandoned home and fired a shotgun as Inspector Shields reached the rear porch, striking him in the neck and collarbone, just above his bulletproof vest. The officer was pronounced dead at University Hospital in Newark.

The 20-year-old suspect was taken into custody 13 hours after the shooting. He was charged with murder and weapons offenses. At the time of shooting, he was out on bail while awaiting trial on burglary and weapons charges.

He pleaded guilty to murder and weapons offenses January 3rd, 2008, in exchange for a recommendation that he receive 40 years instead of life in prison.

Inspector Shields served with the Orange Police Department for five years. He is survived by his wife and three children.

On October 7th, 2008, Detective Shields was posthumously promoted to the rank of Inspector along with three other fallen officers from Orange Police Department.