May 1, 1932: NJ State Police Trooper killed in Lakewood crash

Today, the NJSP is marking the memory of Trooper John J. Ressler #494, who died in an accident in Lakewood on this day in 1932.

John J. Ressler was born on January 8, 1907 in New York City and later resided in Hillside, NJ. He attended Baybrook School in New York City and St. Benedicts’ School in Newark. Prior to enlisting in the New Jersey State Police he worked as a pipe fitter and truck driver/chauffeur.

Trooper Ressler enlisted in the New Jersey State Police on October 1, 1929 as a member of the 21st Class and was assigned to the Teletype Bureau at Division Headquarters at the time of his death. His service with the New Jersey State Police was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty and faithful and energetic devotion to the high principles of the New Jersey State Police.

Trooper Ressler’s death resulted from injuries received in an automobile accident in the line of duty.

On May 1, 1932 at approximately 12:40 pm, Trooper Ressler was driving north on Madison Avenue through Lakewood, New Jersey. He collided with a truck travelling east that ran through a stop sign on 4th Street. When Trooper Ressler’s car spun out of control, the driver side door flew open and he was thrown out against the curb and killed instantly.

Trooper Ressler served 2 years and 7 months with the New Jersey State Police.

He was survived by his parents and four brothers and five sisters. He was 25 years old.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. It happened so many years ago to someone I didn’t even know and yet I feel pained by this story – and I’m sure many others do as well. I think its a reminder of the potential dangers out there that our police officers here in Lakewood and all across this land face each and every day as they go about protecting all of us. How grateful we need to be to our law enforcement officers for all that they do.

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