Police And Fire News In Essex County: Most-Viewed Articles Of 2025

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Why were those sirens sounding in 2025? Take a look back at some of the year’s most-viewed police and fire stories in Essex County (click headline to read the article).

CRIME/POLICE

4 Arrested After Deadly Shooting In Essex County Kills Boy, Teen, Woman

Police got a break on the case when they found a stolen car used in the shooting – which had been set on fire.

Murder-Suicide Victims In Essex County Identified, Cause Of Death Released

Authorities have released more details about a tragic "murder-suicide" that took place in Essex County over the summer.

Man Strangled Girlfriend In Essex County, Left Body Near Golf Course: ECPO

The victim's body was found near a golf course in North Jersey. She had indicated she wanted to end their relationship, prosecutors said.

3 Cops Wounded In Shooting Near Essex County Hotel: Authorities

A woman was also hospitalized after the police-involved shooting, authorities said.

Cop Shot Dead In North Jersey, Teen Arrested (What We Know So Far)

More details have emerged about a fatal shootout that took place between a teen and police officers in New Jersey's largest city.

NJ Residents Murdered Teen While Pursuing ‘Vigilante Justice,’ Prosecutors Say

Two New Jersey residents opened fire on a car full of robbery suspects. They face 30 years to life in prison, prosecutors say.

NJ Man Killed Stepfather After Being Asked To Leave Home, Found Guilty Of Murder

The convicted man was living in his stepfather's home at the time. He was asked to leave two days before the shooting, prosecutors said.

Murder In NJ Store Happened With Kids Present, Shooter Sentenced To Prison

An Essex County man fatally shot another resident inside a store. Two other victims were wounded by gunfire.

Essex County Man Opened Fire On Crowd, Found Guilty Of Murder

One person was killed and several others were wounded, Essex County prosecutors said.

Car Chase Ends With Police Shootout In Essex County, More Details Released

State troopers tried to pull over a car near the American Dream Mall and it sped away. Here's what happened next, authorities say.

Fatal Stabbing With ‘Machete-Style Knife’ In Essex County; NJ Man Sentenced

A Monmouth County resident was sentenced to state prison in connection with a fatal stabbing that took place in Essex County.

Shooting At Recording Studio In North Jersey Kills 2, Wounds Others

Four people were shot at a local music studio. One man has been charged with murder. Another fired in "self-defense," police say.

Family-Led, Mob-Connected Gambling Ring Used NJ Athletes As ‘Agents,’ Prosecutors Say

The multi-million-dollar sports betting ring was led by a "soldier" in the Lucchese crime family, state prosecutors said.

ICE Arrests 4 Convicted Child Sex Offenders In New Jersey

ICE agents in New Jersey recently arrested four registered sex offenders. Deportation proceedings have begun, authorities say.

Man Shot Behind Essex County School, Search For His Killer Continues 4 Years Later

Police are offering a $10,000 reward to help catch the person who gunned a man down behind an elementary school in New Jersey.

Homeowner Held At Gunpoint During Robbery In Essex County: Police

Three intruders with guns tied the homeowner up and robbed his home, police said.

Cops Commended For 'Heroic' Response To Shooting Outside Event Venue

"Their immediate and decisive response, without hesitation, undoubtedly saved lives."

Heroin Trafficking Ring Stretched From Essex County To NYC: Police

A "multi-million-dollar heroin mill" allegedly run by two brothers from Essex County has been shut down, authorities said.

Man Stabbed 10 Times And Lives; Essex County Jury Finds Attacker Guilty

A New Jersey man "ambushed" a victim, chased him down the street and stabbed him several times in Essex County, prosecutors said.

NJ Supermarket Stabbing Suspect Arrested, Man Killed In Parking Lot

A stabbing outside a ShopRite in Essex County claimed the life of a New Jersey man. Police have arrested a suspect in the slaying.

Man Accused Of Fatally Shooting Child In Essex County

Essex County Prosecutor: "It is particularly heinous when an innocent 9-year-old child loses their life."

Twin Brothers Sold Drugs To Fatal Overdose Victim From Essex County, Police Say

Two brothers from North Jersey have been charged in connection with the death of a local resident.

Teen Stabbed During Fight In Essex County, Police Charge 4 With Assault

Police found a 15-year-old with stab wounds to his chest, thigh and shoulder.

4 Women Sex Trafficked Teen Girl In Essex County: Prosecutors

Three of the women have been arrested and one remains at-large, prosecutors said.

Cops Bust Up Violent Drug Gang In North Jersey, Prosecutors Say

Authorities have announced charges against 26 alleged members of a major drug ring in North Jersey.

Court Dismisses Lawsuit Involving Fatal Police Shooting In Essex County

"Once again it appears that there are no consequences when a policeman takes the life of an innocent man," a civil rights advocate said.

Sex Assault, Home Invasion Suspect Arrested In Essex County: ECPO

The suspect has been linked to a string of sexual assaults and home invasions with burglaries, prosecutors said.

Teen Dies In Essex County Shooting, 4 Others Wounded And Hospitalized

Five people were hit by gunfire, authorities say.

Ex-Prison Guard In NJ Killed 2 Women, Blamed It On Steroids: Prosecutors

"This was a senseless act of domestic violence that resulted in the tragic death of two women," Essex County prosecutors said.

Home Invasion Suspect Arrested In North Jersey, Prosecutors Say

The suspect is also accused of taking part in a string of home burglaries and car thefts in Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.

Mail Thefts Keep Stacking Up In Essex County Town, Another USPS Truck Hit

Over the past few years, at least six U.S. Post Office trucks have seen mail thefts in this Essex County town, according to police reports.

FIRES

Sisters Die Trying To Save Disabled Dad From Thanksgiving Fire In North Jersey

Sisters died on Thanksgiving trying to save their father from a fire in an Essex County home, prosecutors said.

Child Killed In North Jersey Fire, 2 Others Hospitalized: Authorities

An investigation continues after a fire killed a child and injured two others at an apartment building in Essex County.

Boat Fire Kills 2, Injures 1 In North Jersey; Investigation Continues

Two people died and a third victim was injured when a boat caught fire in Essex County, authorities say.

Fatal House Fire In Essex County Kills 60-Year-Old Man, Authorities Say

Firefighters found the victim unresponsive in a second-floor hallway, authorities said.

House Fire Kills Woman, Injures Others In Essex County, Officials Say

Authorities attempted to rescue the woman by cutting a hole in the home before she died, officials said.

Devastating Fire In Essex County Leaves Dozens Homeless, Fundraiser Launched

Dozens of residents – including kids and families – "lost everything" in an apartment building fire. Here's how to help them recover.

First Responders Save Woman's Life, Earn Awards

First responders earned awards for a gutsy response to a fire in Essex County.

Apartment Fire Leaves Families Reeling As Holidays Approach

School administrators have launched a recovery effort to aid the victims of the blaze.

Dog Dies In Essex County House Fire, Firefighters Battle Raging Flames

The fire was extremely difficult to battle, authorities said. Other hazards included severely cold weather and freezing ice conditions.

Valor In Essex County Town: Firefighters Save Man's Life

These firefighters showed some serious guts, the Two Hundred Club of Essex County says.

CRASHES/TRAFFIC

NJ Man Dead, Toddler Hospitalized After DWI Driver Hits Pedestrians: Prosecutors

An Essex County resident has been charged with vehicular homicide. Several other people were injured in the crash, prosecutors said.

Essex County Residents Killed After Semi-Truck Crashes Into Car: Police

Three people died, including a juvenile, police said.

Crash In Essex County Kills Grandmother, Hospitalizes 2 Family Members

Three generations of Pennsylvania residents were involved in a deadly crash in New Jersey. The road was closed for construction at the time.

Trains Running Again After Derailment In Essex County

Trains are back up and running on the Montclair-Boonton line after a collision that injured more than a dozen people and suspended service.

1 Dead, 1 Hurt After Crash Near Elementary School In Essex County: Authorities

A hit-and-run driver struck two women with a van. He later returned to the scene, Essex County prosecutors said.

Car Crash Kills 70-Year-Old Essex County Woman, Driver Pleads Guilty

A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal car crash that happened in Essex County two years ago.

Fatal Crash On I-280; Car Veers Off Road, Collides With Trees

A car crash claimed a 79-year-old man's life on I-280 in Essex County, authorities say.

Driver Fatally Strikes 92-Year-Old Woman Outside Essex County Rehab Facility

A driver hit a pedestrian while parking. The woman was using a walker at the time, authorities said.

Semi-Truck Crashes Into NJ Transit Bus In Essex County, 8 Injured: Authorities

The bus was headed to a North Jersey mall at the time. Several people were hurt, authorities said.

Person Killed In 3-Car Crash In Essex County, Prosecutors Say

A fatal car crash took place in Essex County, authorities say.

Car Hits NJ Transit Bus In Essex County, 9 Injured: Police

A vehicle hit the bus from behind, police said.

School Crossing Guard Hit By Car While Helping Kids Across Road

"Contrary to some of the rumors circulating, this was not a hit-and-run," a township official said.

Weekend Crash Kills NJ Motorcycle Rider In Essex County

The crash took place at an intersection in New Jersey's largest city. Here's what happened, authorities said.

NJ Cop Praised For ‘Life-Saving’ Response After Hit-And-Run

A police officer responded to the scene of a serious hit-and-run involving an elderly victim. Here's what happened, authorities say.

5 Drag Racing Suspects Arrested In Essex County After ‘Street Takeovers’

One racer hit a lieutenant trying to escape, and another driver ran over a cop's foot, police said.

Motorcycle Rider From Essex County Killed In Crash

A vehicle making a turn struck a motorcycle in Essex County, authorities said.

Car Hits Child, Mother On 2nd Day Of School Year In NJ Town: Police

The driver was issued multiple summonses, including failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Bus Crashes Into Building In Essex County; Driver Hurt, Residents Lose Homes

The crash caused a lamppost on the sidewalk to go through the floor of an apartment above a storefront, authorities said.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Is Crime Up Or Down In New Jersey? Here’s What FBI Data Shows

Crime plunged nationwide in 2024, according to new data from the FBI. Here's how New Jersey fared.

New Shooting, Car Theft Data Released In NJ Shows 'Historic' Numbers

New Jersey has seen a big drop in violent crime over the past decades – especially from levels seen in the 1980s and 1990s, data shows.

Racist, Sexist Police Training Cost NJ Taxpayers $1M, New Report Says

OSC: The company has since been blacklisted in New Jersey – but it hasn't stopped some police departments from spending money with them.

Here’s How ICE Detainees Escaped Prison In New Jersey, Feds Say

Four federal immigration detainees escaped a privately run prison in New Jersey. Here's how they did it, authorities say.

This NJ Town Is Seeing A Drop In Crime – Here’s Why, Police Chief Says

Crime is down in this North Jersey town, police say.

Fatality In Essex County Prison Parking Lot; Officer Found Dead

Authorities are investigating a suspected suicide that took place in the parking lot of the Essex County Correctional Facility.

NJ Cop Helps Save Child’s Life, Shows ‘Calm Under Pressure’

A young child collapsed after playing soccer at a local park. Luckily, Susan Asali was at the scene – here's what happened next.

Inmate Commits Suicide At Essex County Prison, Investigation Continues

The Essex County Correctional Facility is the largest county-run prison in New Jersey.

Harmful New Internet ‘Trend’ Led To Evacuation At Essex County School: Authorities

A teen in New Jersey allegedly tried out a harmful new social media "challenge" – and ended up with a charred Chromebook, authorities say.

Heartwarming Reunion For Cops Who Saved Man's Life At NJ Airport

"If you have to die, it has to be in the right place, at the right time, surrounded by the right people."

Worker Had Fatal Injury Inside Elevator Shaft At NJ Building: Police

A man died after suffering an injury inside an elevator shaft at an under-construction building, authorities say.

$8M Settlement Reached After Prisoner’s Vicious Beating In Essex County

A mentally ill prisoner suffered severe brain damage after being brutally attacked by other inmates at the largest county prison in NJ.

Gun Seized At NJ Airport, Man Arrested; ‘Record-Setting’ Year Continues

"We have detected nine firearms overall for the year: a record-setting pace," the TSA's federal security director for New Jersey said.

Beloved 'Cyber Dog' Retires From FBI In NJ After Lifetime Of Service

An FBI agent's touching relationship with his K-9 partner has entered its sunset phase. Here's what to know about "Iris the Cyber Dog."

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