Corrections Officer Victor Viteritto was killed when an inmate stabbed him in the neck with a strip of sharpened steel.
Officer Viteritto and another officer were transporting the suspect from the Bergen County Courthouse to Trenton State Prison (now known as New Jersey State Prison). The suspect, who was serving a 25-year sentence for armed robbery, had just been sentenced to an additional nine years for another armed robbery.
The suspect sat in the back seat of the car and was handcuffed. While traveling along Route 1, en route to the prison, the suspect managed to slip out of his handcuffs. It was later determined that he had been treated at the prison infirmary that morning and had managed to get a hold of grease, which he smeared on his wrists.
With his hands free, the suspect used a strip of sharpened steel, which he had taped to his leg, to fatally stab Officer Viteritto. As Officer Viteritto's partner stopped the car, he was slashed across the stomach. The suspect then opened the car door and fled.
Officer Viteritto's partner opened fire, striking the suspect in the left leg. The suspect fled across an open field and into a nearby wooded area. Passing motorists chased the suspect across the field and into the woods. The suspect ultimately surrendered without a struggle after being surrounded.
Officer Viteritto and his partner were taken to Middlesex General Hospital, where Officer Viteritto was pronounced dead. His partner was treated and released from the hospital for his slash wound.
Officer Viteritto was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and had served at the New Jersey State Prison for five years. He was survived by his wife.
