Jerry Moravek
Service Record
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
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]
On December 7, 2023, Moravek was arraigned by a state grand jury and charged with second-degree aggravated assault and second-degree official misconduct. Moravek faces 5-10 years in prison on each charge.[6][7]
On July 23, 2024, the state Attorney General dropped the charges against Moravek after the discovery of additional evidence that showed Cooped holding a gun on the night of the incident. The Attorney General plans to re-present the case to a new grand jury.[8][9]
On July 29, 2024, the judge dismissed the charges against Moravek, citing a picture showing Cooper holding a firearm.[10]
On November 1, 2024, the Attorney General announced that they would not be refiling charges against Moravek.[9]
Public Comments
LEO Ratings
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Dana Difilippo, Jersey cop criminally charged for shooting and paralyzing unarmed man, New Jersey Monitor, 2023-02-06
- ↑ Jerry Moravek, City of Paterson, govSalaries
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Joe Malinconico, Paterson officer charged with assault in June 2022 non-fatal shooting, The Bergen Record, 2023-02-06
- ↑ Jayed Rahman, ‘Why did you run from me?’ Paterson police officer asks man after shooting him, bodycam video shows, Paterson Times, 2022-07-23
- ↑ Anthony AttrinoUnarmed man shot in back, paralyzed by Paterson cop sues for $50M, NJ.com, 2023-07-11
- ↑ Joe Malinconico, Paterson cop indicted in 2022 shooting of a fleeing gun suspect, northjersey.com, 2023-12-07
- ↑ State Grand Jury Criminally Charges Paterson Police Officer In Connection with June 2022 Shooting of Fleeing Man in the Back, New Jersey Attorney General, 2023-12-07
- ↑ Shooting charges against Paterson policeman dropped, AG will go back to grand jury, New Jersey Globe, 2024-07-23
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Joe Malinconico, NJ AG won't pursue charges against Paterson officer who shot fleeing gun suspect in back, northjersey.com, 2024-11-01
- ↑ Joe Malinconico, Judge dismisses indictment against Paterson cop in shooting that left man paralyzed, northjersey.com, 2024-07-29
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