2018 NJSPBA Valor Awards
Bronze Medal of Valor
Sheriff’s Offi cer Abdullah Holmes
Essex County Sheriff Local 183
Chasing down a murderer
Growing up in Newark and having
worked 12 years for the Essex County Sher-
iff’s Department, Local 183 member Abdul-
lah Holmes understands that his city has
more than its share of dangers.
So, when a brazen murder took place right
before his eyes on Feb. 1, 2017, the sheriff’s
detective didn’t flinch. “In the academy, they
say always keep your head on a swivel, and
that’s exactly what I did,” he describes.
Assigned to the Newark Police Special
Enforcement Bureau, Holmes was investi-
gating a high-crime area in plainclothes af-
ter receiving a tip from a CI when he heard
gunfire. He observed a victim who had been
shot in the leg and, after calling in the scene
to dispatch, watched as the gunman shot
another victim in the head outside a grocery
store.
“Apparently, the suspect and victim had
been in an argument two days earlier and
the suspect felt disrespected,” Holmes re-
54
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ DECEMBER 2018
calls.
Holmes identified himself as a law en-
forcement officer and shouted commands
to stop, but the suspect instead decided to
begin ramming his SUV into Holmes’ un-
marked vehicle. Holmes fired back, causing
the suspect to flee on foot.
“Working in the city, working gangs, you
expect that — you’re chasing people who
want to get away from the police because
they’re committing high crimes,” Holmes
explains. “That’s when my academy training
and my street training kick in at the same
time.”
A pursuit ensued, which ended without
further incident when the suspect was dis-
covered hiding in a dumpster.
The suspect was charged with murder
and took a plea to serve 25 years.
“Ultimately, when you apprehend a sus-
pect in handcuffs, that’s a win for both my-
self and the citizens,” Holmes concludes.
“For the victims, we caught the guy who
killed someone in their family. And the civil-
ian who was struck in the leg was satisfied
[the suspect was caught]. It’s gratifying for
me as a law enforcement officer catching
the suspect in the heat of the moment. I
love being a sheriff’s officer, especially hav-
ing grown up in the city. I try to be a positive
role model for the next generation in the city
and show people that you can put bad guys
in jail.”