What to Know
- A police officer wounded during a struggle with an armed pedestrian earlier this year has died from his injuries.
- Deptford Township police department says officer Robert Shisler died Sunday in the hospital where he had been treated since the March 10 incident, which also left the pedestrian dead. The 27-year-old Shisler had served on the force for four years.
- Authorities have said Shisler tried to stop 24-year-old Mitchell Negron Jr. as Negron walked on a roadway in Deptford, but Negron instead fled on foot. Shisler ran after him and both men were shot in an ensuing struggle. Negron was pronounced dead at the scene, while Shisler suffered a leg wound.
A New Jersey police officer who was wounded in a shooting nearly two months ago has died from his injuries, officials announced Sunday.
On March 10 at 12:38 p.m., Deptford Police Officer Robert Shisler, 27, conducted a pedestrian stop on Delsea Drive in Deptford Township, New Jersey. During the stop, a man, who police identified as 24-year-old Mitchell Negron Jr., of Deptford, ran off on foot, investigators said.
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Officer Shisler chased after him and a struggle ensued between the two men, according to investigators. During the struggle, both men shot each other, officials said. A Taurus .38 special revolver, which was not Officer Shisler’s service weapon, was recovered at the scene, according to investigators.
Negron was pronounced dead at the scene while Officer Shisler was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.
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Officer Shisler spent several weeks in the hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries and extensive treatment. During that time he received massive support from the Deptford Township community.
On Sunday, Deptford Township Police Chief Joseph Smith announced Officer Shisler had died from his injuries.
"Our deepest sympathies are with the Shisler family during this difficult time of bereavement,” Chief Smith wrote. “Though nothing can take away the pain of his passing, Bobby's incredible strength and bravery will be an unforgettable example of being Deptford strong. He was the best of ALL of us."
Shortly after the news of Officer Shisler's death, officers consoled each other outside the Deptford Police Department. They draped a black cloth over Officer Shisler's police cruiser before crossing the bridge into Pennsylvania.
A procession was then held as Officer Shisler's body was escorted from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office. Another processional is planned for Tuesday morning as Shisler is returned to New Jersey.
Deptford Mayor Paul Medany said Officer Shisler is the first Deptford Police officer killed in the line of duty. He also said his death will impact the community for a long time.
"It's a tragic situation," Medany said. "The community coming together, that's great. But nobody ever wants to see this happen in any community in the United States of America."
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