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In Memory
Florham Park's heroes last watch Detective Frank Dailey and Patrolman Robert Hauptman were assigned to an air reconnaissance mission in a small Cessna to combat the growth of Marijuana crops here in the Borough. After locating these crops, the officers were attempting to return to the Morristown Airport when the plane stalled, causing the death of the Florham Park Police heroes. These two officers lives were cut short due to the dedication in protecting all of us. Their selfless efforts came to a heroic end on July 17, 1975. (Below is information referenced from the Florham Park Eagle Newspaper regarding the incident, "May they always be remembered and never forgotten.") Two Florham Park policemen died Thursday in what appeared to be an attempt at an emergency landing while they were on a reconnaissance flight for the department. Detective Frank Dailey, 27, and Patrolman Robert Hauptman, 29, were believed to have died on impact when their single engine Cessna 150 clipped a tree and plunged to the ground, narrowly missing homes and playing children on Birch Lane near First Street. Mrs. Angela Florentino, whose back yard at 9 First Street was gouged by the plane's impact, was one of the first at the scene, but was unable to help because of the gasoline rushing from the crumpled wing tanks. Local pharmacist Stan Beck, an active fireman and first aider, said he could get no pulse and the fire crew washed down the plane and the area so the officers could be removed. One was released very quickly, but rescue workers had to cut the plane apart and lift the wing to remove the second. Police and fire department workers were assisted by a heavy rescue truck from Morris Township and its "Jaws of Life" machine. Plane appeared to be in trouble Hauptman was an experienced pilot and there are many who said the plane appeared to be in trouble before its plunge to the ground. There is speculation that the pilot was trying desperately to get the plane to a 'safe' crash landing site to avoid the children playing at Emmett Field and in the residential neighborhood, but couldn't quite make it. Witnesses have said the plane sputtered and appeared to stall - that it climbed steeply for a short time, then fell, cutting the top of a tree with the wing. It is believed that the plane could have been set down safely if it had missed the tree. Visit the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Site
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