This verdict came after a jury found Tremaine Hadden guilty of shooting a New Jersey State Police detective during an investigation into a Salem County home invasion in 2020.
Tremaine Hadden, a 30-year-old resident of Bridgeton, New Jersey, was handed a 37-year state prison sentence on September 12, 2023
State Superior Court Judge John Eastlack, presiding at the Gloucester County Courthouse in Woodbury, New Jersey, ordered Tremaine Hadden to serve the lengthy sentence, with nearly 28 years to be served without the possibility of parole.
On April 25, 2020, Detective Richard Hershey was shot and injured while probing a home invasion at the Harding Woods mobile home park in Pittsgrove. Following an investigation by the New Jersey State Police, it was revealed that a hostile group of 15 individuals arrived at the scene, armed with handguns, a knife, and a bottle, with the intention of causing harm to a resident and her property.
Tremaine Hadden, along with two accomplices, Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings, and Kareen “Kai” Warner, opened fire on Detective Hershey. Tremaine Hadden alone fired around eleven shots at the detective, causing severe injuries. The detective, displaying remarkable courage, returned fire and the suspects fled. Detective Hershey made a full recovery and was honored as the NJSP’s 2020 Trooper of the Year for his bravery.
Hutchings and Warner pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in May
Tremaine Hadden’s conviction on May 30, 2023, and subsequent sentencing serve as a stark reminder that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in New Jersey. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized the importance of upholding the law and expressed gratitude for Detective Hershey’s dedication to public safety. Division of Criminal Justice Director J. Stephen Ferketic echoed this sentiment, underscoring the state’s commitment to bringing those who target law enforcement to justice.
Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, stressed the significance of this sentencing, asserting that an attack on a State Trooper is an assault on society itself. The case was diligently prosecuted by a team led by Assistant Attorney General Erik Daab. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving various units of the New Jersey State Police, supported by federal agencies.
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