NJ
Fish and Wildlife
Game Wardens
Killed in the Line of Duty
Amos W. Horrocks, DOD 5/26/1963
On May 26, 1963 Conservation Officer Amos W. Horrocks
was patrolling in Middlesex County when he lost control
of his patrol vehicle and struck a tree on Friendship
Road in South Brunswick Township. Conservation Officer
Horrocks was 38 years old and was a NJ Conservation Officer
for years.
William Holblitzell, DOD 9/18/21
On September 18, 1921 Warden Holblitzell was investigating
a wildlife complaint with a farmer in Kenilworth when
he heard gunshots in the area. Warden Holblitzell left
his vehicle at the farmer’s residence and went into
the woods to investigate the shots. Farmer John Lynch
then heard two additional gunshots. When Warden Holblitzell
failed to return to his vehicle, farmer Lynch notified
Deputy Sheriff Ralph Lamphere. Both men conducted a search,
but did not locate Warden Holblitzell. The next day, with
the help of 150 searchers, the body of Warden Holblitzell
was discovered with two .22 caliber rifle rounds to the
heart and groin. Local detectives investigated and concluded
that Warden Holblitzell was murdered when he came across
someone hunting out of season. No suspect was ever found.
Warden Holblitzell was 61 years old and was a NJ Game
Warden for 25 years.
David W. Brocker, DOD 11/16/51
On November 16, 1951 Warden Brocker along with Warden
Kristiansen and Deputy Dixon were investigating illegal
trapping at the Split Rock Reservoir in Morris County.
Warden Brocker dropped off Warden Kristiansen and Deputy
Dixon on a small island and continued on paddling in a
canoe. Shortly thereafter, Warden Kristiansen heard a
gunshot and a splash into the water. When Warden Brocker
failed to return at the designated time, Warden Kristiansen
and Deputy Dixon swam to shore and walked a mile to the
nearest house to request assistance. A search was initiated
with over 200 searchers. During the search, Warden Brocker’s
canoe was located with blood inside. Although searchers
utilized boats, divers, mine detectors, magnets, underwater
grapples, amphibious trucks, airplanes, and helicopters,
the body of Warden Brocker was never located. Warden Brocker
was 37 years old and a NJ Game Warden for 10 years.
John C. Reinbold, DOD 10/23/1913
On October 19, 1913, while responding to a complaint of
illegal hunting, Warden Reinbold was searching the Greenwoods
in Old Tappan Borough near the NJ/NY State Line. Warden
Reinbold located the suspects and began pursuing them
on foot. Warden Reinbold chased the suspects into Rockland
County, NY when one of the suspects turned and fired two
shots striking Warden Reinbold in the face and abdomen.
Warden Reinbold died four days later at a hospital in
Nyack, NY.
A massive investigation was conducted involving authorities
from New York and New Jersey. One of the suspects was
apprehended and questioned. This suspect implicated his
hunting partner, Antonio Lettieri, who evidently fired
the two fatal gunshots. It was soon discovered that Antonio
Lettieri made his way back to New York City, withdrew
his savings, and purchased a one way passage to his native
country of Italy under another name. On December 5, 1913
a judge in Rockland County indicted Antonio Lettieri for
murder in the first degree.
President Woodrow Wilson ordered his Secretary of State,
William J. Bryan, to contact the Italian Government and
seek the arrest of Antonio Lettieri. One individual was
arrested in Italy, but Italian officials concluded that
this suspect did not match the description of Antonio
Lettieri. No further arrests were made in Italy or the
United States. Antonio Lettieri remained at large.
Upon his death, Warden Reinbold was 30 years old, a NJ
Game Warden for 2 years, and was to be married the same
week he was killed in the line of duty.
Warden Alfred J Perkins & Deputy Warden Owen Gant,
DOD 11/23/1946
On November 23, 1946, Warden Perkins and Deputy Gant were
returning from Hackettstown Fish Hatchery. In the area
of Somerville New Jersey, their patrol vehicle was struck
by a dump truck. Warden Perkins and Deputy Gant were fatally
injured as a result of the vehicular accident. Warden
Perkins was employed as a Warden for 7 years. We are investigating
the number of years Deputy Gant served.