In 1935, Detective Robert Alexander, then 62 years old and a 28-year veteran of the Paterson, NJ, Police Department, was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a suspect in Warwick, NY.
On June 3, 1935, Paterson police had arrested a man named Gifford Wright for robbery. During the course of the investigation at Police Headquarters, Wright escaped and fled to Greenwood Lake, NY. Three days later, Detective Alexander and several members of the New York State Police went to the Town of Warwick to find Wright, anticipating that he would be going to the Warwick Post Office to pick up mail.
At approximately 1400 hours on June 6, Detective Alexander and the members of the State Police confronted Wright on the street outside the Post Office. Wright, recognizing Detective Alexander, drew a gun and shot the Detective 3 times. Alexander collapsed on the street, at which point several New York State Troopers opened fire, shooting and killing Wright outside the Warwick Methodist Episcopal Church.
Detective Alexander, the only Paterson Police Officer killed in the Line of Duty, left behind a wife, Louise, and two sons, Robert and William.