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

5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals
The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.
Read More →
SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade
SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL
The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.
Read More →
NLEOMF Officer of the Month Saved Child from Burning Vehicle
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose Police Department (California) as the Officer of the Month for May 2026. Read more about Jaycox’s heroic actions.
Read More →
Garmont Tactical Introduces the Contact Collection for LE
Garmont Tactical has launched its Contact Collection, a new lineup of law-enforcement duty boots featuring 4-inch and 6-inch options, including waterproof models.
Read More →
Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees
Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.
Read More →
Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee
Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.
Read More →
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer by Police Vehicle?
Time-sensitive injuries like penetrating trauma mean a wounded officer needs to reach a trauma center as soon as possible, and in some cases, that means transporting by police vehicle rather than waiting for EMS. What are the factors to consider in making that transport decision?
Read More →
5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use
What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.
Read More →
363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week
In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.
Read More →