NJ AG: NJSP Detectives Falsified Reports About North Wildwood Bar Brawl

Two detectives with the New Jersey State Police, who are married to each other and live in Hammonton, now find themselves on the wrong side of the law after authorities say they falsified reports about their conduct during a brawl at a bar in North Wildwood in 2020.

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal says 52-year-old Detective Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Ogden and 46-year-old Detective Sgt. Dorothy Ogden were charged Thursday with fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records.

Grewal's office says,

On Feb. 22, 2020, Gregory and Dorothy Ogden were at the Exit 6 Bar in North Wildwood when they were involved in a physical altercation with other patrons, during which Gregory was struck in the head with a bottle. The incident resulted in the North Wildwood Police Department responding to an aggravated assault complaint. The couple failed to immediately notify their chain of command in the New Jersey State Police as required. Instead, they waited two days and then submitted official New Jersey State Police Special Reports, dated Feb. 24, 2020, that falsely described what had occurred, particularly their conduct during the incident, as revealed by video footage and other evidence.

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Grewal says Gregory Ogden claimed he was inadvertently hit by a bottle after leaving a bathroom. In his report, he claimed, "[t]his disturbance did not involve myself nor any of the two individuals I was at the establishment with." However, video from the bar shows him pushing multiple people and/or attempting to strike another patron. Gregory Ogden is seen grabbing and pulling on the hood of a person's sweatshirt and throwing punches in that person's direction; Ogden struck a bouncer in the process, according to a press release. That person subsequently struck Gregory Ogden with a bottle.

In her report, according to Grewal, Dorothy Ogden falsely described losing her husband in the crowd and they she found him outside with a bloodied face. Video, on the other hand, shows that she was involved in the altercation and pushing bar security workers who intervened.

The charges against the detectives carry up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.