South Jersey Man Gets 37 Years For 2020 Shooting Of NJ State Cop

BRIDGETON, NJ — A Bridgeton man was sentenced to 37 years in prison, for shooting a New Jersey State Police detective in 2020 while the detective was investigating a Salem County home invasion, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said.

Tremaine Hadden, 30, was sentenced on Tuesday, following his conviction on second-degree charges of aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain persons not to possess weapons, as well as a third-degree charge of riot.

State Superior Court Judge John Eastlack ordered Hadden to serve 37 years in state prison, including nearly 28 years without the possibility of parole.

On April 25, 2020, Det. Richard Hershey was shot and wounded while investigating a home invasion in which a woman was beaten and robbed at the Harding Woods mobile home park on Harding Highway in Pittsgrove., Platkin said.

According to investigation, while Hershey was at the scene a hostile mob of 15 people pulled up in five vehicles around 10:30 p.m., intending to attack and injure a resident at the mobile home park and damage her residence.

People of the caravan were armed with at least two handguns, one knife, and one bottle, authorities said.

Some of them exited their vehicles and confronted Hershey, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer and gave commands in an effort to control the intruders.

Hadden, along with two others, Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings and Kareen “Kai” Warner, opened fire on Hershey, Platkin said.

Hadden shot at Hershey numerous times from one vehicle, while Hutchings and Warner shot at him from another vehicle, authorities said.

According to testimony from a ballistics expert, over a dozen shots were fired at Hershey, including approximately eleven fired by Hadden alone, Platkin said.

Hershey was struck in the hip and seriously wounded. Several bullets struck occupied homes in the neighborhood. The detective returned fire with his service weapon, and the suspects fled the scene.

Hershey recovered from his injuries and returned to duty. He was named the NJSP’s 2020 Trooper of the Year.

Hutchings and Warner, who are both from Bridgeton, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in May.

Hadden was convicted following a trial on May 30.

“The prison sentence given to this defendant illustrates that my office will not tolerate violence against our law enforcement professionals as they attempt to do their jobs and protect the public,” Platkin said in a statement.

“Anyone who would brazenly shoot at an officer as he was identifying himself and giving verbal commands clearly has no respect for the law and those who enforce it. I remain grateful for Detective Hershey’s recovery and ongoing service to our great state.”

Col. Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police said the sentencing represents the culmination of a years-long pursuit for justice.

“This prison sentence sends a clear message that the shooting of a State Trooper is an attack on the very fabric of our society,” Callahan said. “Troopers are guardians of our safety, and their sacrifices will always be met with the full force of the law.”