Reward Doubled to $2M for N.J. Trooper's Killer
The reward for the capture of a 1970s black nationalist who killed a New Jersey trooper doubled to $2 million on the 40th anniversary of the crime. The FBI also named Assata Shakur to its Most Wanted Terrorists.

Screenshot via FBI.
The reward for the capture of a 1970s black nationalist who killed a New Jersey trooper doubled to $2 million on the 40th anniversary of the crime. The FBI also named Assata Shakur, who was previously known as Joanne Chesimard, to its Most Wanted Terrorists.
The New Jersey State Police has pledged $1 million to the existing $1 million reward offered by the FBI.
Shakur was convicted of killing Trooper Werner Foerster during a shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike in May of 1973. The trooper had pulled her over for a motor vehicle violation. She disarmed the trooper and fatally shot him with his service weapon.
"This case is just as important today as it was when it happened 40 years ago," said Mike Rinaldi, a New Jersey State Police lieutenant and member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Newark. "Bringing Joanne Chesimard back here to face justice is still a top priority."
Following her conviction and sentencing, Shakur escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women on Nov. 2, 1979. While visiting her, three members of the Black Liberation Army drew concealed .45-caliber pistols, seized two guards as hostages and commandeered a prison van.
In 1984, Shakur fled to Cuba, where she was given asylum. There have been several unsuccessful attempts to extradite her. On May 2, 2005, the FBI classified her as a "domestic terrorist," increasing the reward for assistance in her capture to $1 million.
In 2011, President Obama skipped National Police Week events to host a poetry night with a performance from rapper Common, author of the work, "A song for Assata."
More Patrol

Team Wendy Introduces the EXFIL Endurance Ballistic Helmet, Engineered to Reduce the Burden of Extended Wear
Team Wendy has launched its EXFIL Endurance, a new lightweight ballistic helmet engineered to deliver protection, comfort, and fit during demanding, extended operations.
Read More →
The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026
Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026
Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Read More →
5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343
5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Read More →