Jerry Moravek

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Service Record

Agency	Paterson New Jersey Police Department
Rank	Officer
Dates of Service	Hired in 2014.^[1]
Salary	$73,383 (2021)^[2]
Last Known Status	Suspended^[3]

Incident Reports

2022 Shooting of Khalif Cooper

Moravek's body-worn camera footage

On June 11, 2022, police were investigating a neighborhood disturbance. Officers were arresting one person who fled with a gun when they heard shots being fired. Moravek ran towards the shooting and encountered Cooper, who ran away and did not obey Moravek's commands to "drop the gun". Moravek shot Cooper after a brief chase.^[1]

On July 22, 2022, footage from Moravek's body-worn camera was released.^[4]

State law allows officers to use deadly force only to protect themselves or the public from imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.^[1]

Response Timeline

Moravek was placed on paid administrative leave.^[3]

A "preliminary review" determined that Moravek had followed department guidelines.^[3]

On February 6, 2023, the Attorney General faulted Moravek for not ordering Cooper to stop running and get to the ground, or warning Cooper that he would use deadly force. Moravek was charged with second-degree aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and second-degree official misconduct. Moravek faces up to 10 years in prison for each offense.^[1]

Moravek was suspended without pay after the charges were filed. Per the police contract, Moravek will move to paid suspension after 30 days.^[3]

On July 2, 2023, Cooper filed a lawsuit against Moravek and the city for violations of his civil rights.^[5]