Detective John Sczyrek, Jr., Newark Police Division, New Jersey

Detective John Sczyrek, Jr.

Newark Police Division, New Jersey

End of Watch Thursday, June 3, 1993

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John Sczyrek, Jr.

Detective John Sczyrek was shot and killed in court by a suspect who was trying to keep him from testifying against his two cousins charged with narcotics crimes following an undercover assignment.

As Detective Sczyrek walked down the courthouse hallway, the defendant's cousin opened fire with a .357 caliber handgun. As the suspect attempted to flee, he shot and critically wounded another deputy but was apprehended a short distance away.

The 25-year-old suspect had boasted to relatives in North Carolina a day earlier that he was leaving and going to New Jersey to kill Detective Sczyrek and the judge in the case because he said they could not get a fair trial. One of the defendant's girlfriends, a 22-year-old court employee, met the suspect in the courthouse and gave him the handgun. Although metal detectors were installed at the entrances three months earlier, she used a private door for court employees to enter. She and the suspect were charged with murder and attempted murder. Both were convicted of murder. She was sentenced to 20 years and the suspect to life.

The other deputy shot through a lung recovered.

Detective Sczyrek had served with the Newark Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.

Bio

Age 30
Tour 7 years
Badge 1701

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .357 caliber
Offender Sentenced to life

ambush

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I had just become a street cop with the now retired Hudson County Police Department(1992)after serving as a Correction Officer in Hudson County for seven years(1985 - 1992). On this day, I was on patrol when the news of Det. John Sczyrek's assignation was broadcast over the radio. When I heard this my stomach dropped, thinking "oh my God, someone actually had the b@((s to assinate a Police Detective sitting outside a Superior Court room waiting to give sworn testimony in a high profile drug case". At this point and time I knew we(The Police)weren't safe anywhere. My hopes are this SAVAGE NEVER GETS out of prison. No my hopes are that the Court doesn't say "He's only a Juvenile" like they seem to do with everything else. This Juvenile needs to rot in prison for the rest of his life and realize that life is valuable and not a video game. As for the cop that shot and apprehended this SAVAGE you deserve a Valor Award and all the respect you will get from your peers. You have all my respect, Police Officer / Retired Detective Jersey City Police of 37 years. Always remember Stay Alert / Stay Alive, a Jersey City Police moto for decades.

Ret. Det. Christopher Monahan#619
Jersey City Police Department

March 9, 2025