CRANFORD, NJ – A Cranford police officer was shot on the Garden State Parkway. The shooting occurred last night, resulting in non-life threatening injuries to the officer.
The community and fellow officers have expressed their support, emphasizing the daily dangers police officers encounter. There is a strong sentiment of solidarity, with many expressing hopes and prayers for a rapid recovery.
According to the preliminary information, officers from the Cranford Police Department were pursuing a stolen vehicle which crashed in the area of a southbound exit on the Garden State Parkway. After the crash, the driver of the vehicle and two officers exchanged gunfire. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene at approximately 12:04 a.m. on December 29, 2023. A firearm was recovered near the driver. One officer sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound and was treated at a hospital and released.
“A Cranford police officer was shot last night with non-life threatening injuries on the Garden State Parkway. Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. We are praying for the officer’s swift recovery,” Governor Phil Murphy said on X while on vacation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and risks undertaken by uniformed personnel in their duty to ensure public safety. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and updates are anticipated as more information becomes available.