In the line of duty, Officer Abigail J. Powlett, a dedicated member of the Plainfield Police Division, tragically lost her life on March 15, 1985. A female officer with three years of service, she was responding to a call about a man with a gun at the Meadow Brook Village Apartments on East Front Street.
Upon arrival with another officer, they made contact with the suspect. As Officer Powlett was searching the man, he began to resist and managed to overpower her, gaining control of her service weapon. The situation escalated quickly as the suspect held her hostage on the ground with the gun to her head.
Other officers who had responded to the scene immediately began negotiating with the assailant in a desperate attempt to de-escalate the volatile standoff. However, without any warning, the man fired a single, fatal shot to Officer Powlett's head.
The surrounding officers immediately returned fire, and the suspect was fatally wounded at the scene.
Officer Powlett's death marked a significant and sorrowful moment as she became the first female police officer to be killed in the line of duty in the state of New Jersey. She was survived by her mother, daughter, and son. Her memory has been honored in various ways, including the dedication of the restored Plainfield NJ TRANSIT station in her name, ensuring her ultimate sacrifice for her community is not forgotten.
