Detective Albert E. Seltzer

Albert E. Seltzer

Detective Albert Seltzer was accidentally shot and killed by another officer who mistook him and a second detective for burglars.

The two detectives were conducting a stakeout inside a theatre at 409 Springfield Avenue in Newark. The theatre had been robbed several times during the previous weeks, and the detectives were attempting to catch a robbery in progress.

Another officer, patrolling his regular beat, did not know the detectives were conducting the operation and entered the theatre with a night watchman. The officer mistook the two detectives for burglars and mortally wounded Detective Seltzer. Detective Seltzer was taken to City Hospital where he died two days later.

Detective Seltzer had served with the Newark Police Division for 10.5 years and was assigned to the Detective Bureau. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and parents.