Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You are not forgotten. I am a spouse of a fallen office 03/15/1983. R.I.P.

Survivor Diane Welch

March 15, 2023

Hi Abby,

I still think of you often. You know your picture is displayed in my living room. You will never be forgotten. I hope you're resting easy my friend, classmate and partner at NSF. Miss you.

Detective Lieutenant Roy Diaz (Ret.)
Union County Prosecutor's Office

April 21, 2022

Abby was my English comp student at Rutgers. She was one of the best, if not the best, writers I have ever had in class. As I recall, she wrote for the Newark Star-Ledger for a while after she finished her studies at Rutgers. Years ago, I was glancing through a week-old newspaper and saw her picture. I immediately thought, "Abby is doing some more good work, somewhere." Sadly, that was not the case. It was the account of her murder. She is gone, but she will remain in my memory as a warm, friendly woman who had so much to offer.

Michael Terreri
Rutgers University

July 30, 2021

Thoughts and prayers to Officer Powlett's family and loved ones and to all of the Plainfield Police Officers who knew her, worked with her and who especially were with her on that horrible, dark day. Officer Powlett, thank you for your service and know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

October 7, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Powlett.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 29, 2020

God bless you

Mark Mottola

March 15, 2020

Abby was my best friend and partner. Her passing was the darkest time of my life. We attended Rutgers together at night school and that was when we really got to know each other. After her passing, I ran away to forget and bury my grief and sorrow. Today, my heart still aches. I've moved on but the pain and love still remains. I know she is still smiling.

Richard Rodd
Friend

June 16, 2017

Officer Powlett,
On today, the 32nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Plainfield. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

March 15, 2017

The main Officer was our LT. John Driscoll, who stood in the line of fire and tried to save her life. He was willing to die for her. The perpetrator shot Abby in the head and the all the cops fired back. The entire department was in mourning for several weeks the town was quiet. We thought there was something wrong with our radio transmissions. Many of us cried, others were solemn. There is more about all the cops feelings. Abby you we will not forget you.

Officer Santiago Soto at the time.
Plainfield Police Division

September 6, 2016

While at National Police week I learned your story. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. Filled with great sadness but more importantly that you a hero. As a fellow female officer I will think of you and honor you. Know that your story will never be forgotten.

My prayers to your family.

Patrol officer
Indianapolis Metropolitan PD

May 16, 2016

I will never forget you.

Sergeant Santiago Soto
Friends, Partners, Academy class mates

April 19, 2016

I CAME ACROSS ABIGAIL'S PAGE AS I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE. I AM A POLICE WOMAN AND IT IS WOMEN LIKE ABIGAIL THAT SET THE WAYS FOR US. THANK YOU ABIGAIL!

PATROLMAN
INDPLS METRO P.D

February 11, 2016

Abby was my sister, and I am so proud of her.She was brave and fearless. Everyone who knew her loved her. He colleagues spoke highly of her. She showed our family that she could be the best at whatever she did. She left her children a legacy they can truly be proud of. We miss her, but she was doing what she loved when she died.

Kim Hill
Sister

July 30, 2015

I think about Abby often. I went to high school with her, but also knew Abby .. I think as scouts or brownies when we were younger.

Abby always friendly, always a big hello and smile. She is now with presence of Jesus .... I will always remember her.

Barbara Freeman Hoffman
High school friend

July 19, 2015

I miss you.
Santiago

Sgt. Santiago Soto
Plainfield Police Division

April 24, 2015

I was honored to have helped to provide some of her training when she was a new recruit, at the Union County Police Academy. She was more than willing, able, energetic. I'm sure that she was one hell of a cop. God bless her. May she be at peace in a new life, without pain, in Heaven.

Lt. Ivan Shapow
Springfield PD (Retired.)

March 19, 2015

She will always be remembered. A Real Hero. God Bless Her.

Capt. Todd Mooney
Elizabeth PD

March 16, 2015

My prayers are with the Plainfield Police Department and I appreciate them. I remember that terrible day my heart was sadden..Officer Abigail J. Powlett will always be remembered for her outstanding job as in officer doing her duty to protect the citizens of Plainfield, New Jersey

mary mcdonald
resident

March 16, 2015

30th anniversary of a great woman and a great cop. She will always be remembered. We celebrate her life on every anniversary. I was her academy classmate and worked some jobs with her.

Sgt. John Dugan
Somerset County Prosecutors Office

March 15, 2015

30 years has past and you will never be forgotten.
Hope the memorial service will be held so your daughters can see that we never forget our sister who died protecting others.

Inspector Simon Hellmann
Over seas

March 15, 2015

i to will never forget abby..she was my roomate at college (FDU madison)..i remember her smile, and the love she gave to me and others who crossed her path..i think of her often.. God bless her children..

judith clark hall
college roomate

December 30, 2014

Hello Noreen
The strangest thing just happened...My name is Claudine Morgan you my not remember me but we went to school together..Evergreen I believe...
I was just lying in my bed and your mum popped in my head and the whole incident surrounding her passing..
I lived in the U.S back in 85 and lived on 7th street. .
I now reside in England and have done since 87..

That is a memory that always stays with me and not for no bad reason..didn't know your mum personally but always new one of my school peers had police officer as mum and would frequently see her around the station..
As I Google and saw the messages page, just wanted to touch base and say God Bless ALWAYS..

claudine morgan
friend

October 31, 2014

Noree,

I remember your mother. I worked in a bank in Scotch Plains and she came in frequently. She was very friendly with a soft sweet voice. I most remember her smile, it lit up her whole face. She had a quiet gentle demeanor, she was a little shy, but I could tell she was a strong person, inside and out. Her strength of character showed all over, you could just tell she was a wonderful person. I didn't know her well at all, I just waited on her as a teller, we chit chatted a bit. I was heartbroken when I heard the news reports she had died. I knew she had children, she mentioned you guys once or twice, and when she did, I could see her pride in you. I still think of her now and then, the lovely lady with the luminous smile who came into my teller line now and then. Certain special customers stay with you over the years, you don't forget them. Your mother is one of mine.

Patricia Karl

July 19, 2014

Thank you again....everyone who leaves a reflection on here of my mom...even those who don't but read about her. Thank you. I come back to this sight every once in a while to read them over and over. Even tho it makes me cry b/c I miss her so much it still warms my heart to know she is not forgotten. I was only 11 yrs old so I don't have many memories of her....so I learn more about her thru all of those who did know her & worked with her. Next year will be 30 yrs and I was informed that Plainfield Police Dept will honor her 30 yr with a memorial service.

I continue to keep our LEO & their loved ones in prayer.
God Bless

Noree Powlett
Daughter

March 31, 2014

I worked with Abby at a time when few women were in police work. I looked forward to my shifts with her. She stepped up in a real way, a non-gender way- and she had your backs when it counted in the most dangerous town in NJ. She was smart, tough, articulate, fair, and polite. She was murdered in the toughest, most dangerous city block in Plainfield, getting out of her car and confronting a very dangerous guy. No surprise she did so, because she was very tough, and very diligent. It was a true loss to every person who knew her. Over 135 men and women from Plainfield PD wept at her loss, and many thousands showed up to her funeral from every state in the US to support the 1st woman officer killed in NJ. I might add that she was a undercover drug enforcement officer who was enormously successful at cleaning up the worst of the worst gangs members, drug groups, etc.. You are missed Abby, and all of us were blessed to have worked beside you! You, and your life’s work, truly mattered !
L. Kudlik

Former Officer
Plainfield PD

January 30, 2014