By: Richard L. Smith
A Gloucester County grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges following its review of a 2024 police-involved shooting in Deptford Township that left a Sewell man injured.
The decision, reached on February 18, 2026, concludes the criminal investigation into the non-fatal shooting of Jeffrey Jaworski during an encounter with members of the Deptford Township Police Department on November 28, 2024.
Authorities said Sergeant David Grogan discharged his service weapon during the incident.
The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office conducted the investigation under the supervision of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).
In accordance with the state’s 2019 Independent Prosecutor Directive, the matter was presented to a panel of county residents serving on a grand jury.
That directive requires grand jury review in cases involving the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers.
Investigators gathered and presented extensive evidence, including witness interviews, body-worn camera footage, 911 recordings, photographs, physical evidence collected by the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Unit, and ballistics analysis performed by the New Jersey State Police Firearms Unit.
Recorded interviews from the involved officers were also submitted for review.
After hearing testimony and examining the evidence, the grand jury determined that Sgt. Grogan’s use of force was legally justified.
As a result, no criminal charges will be filed.
According to investigators, officers responded to the Fairfield Inn in Deptford Township after receiving a report that occupants of a room had not paid and were refusing to leave.
Upon arrival, officers attempted to make contact by knocking on the door.
Officials said Jaworski exited through a window and fled into a wooded area behind the hotel. Officers pursued him on foot.
During the chase, Jaworski allegedly shouted that he had a gun. Sgt. Grogan then fired his weapon, striking Jaworski in the buttocks.
Despite being shot, Jaworski continued running and entered State Highway 42 before being taken into custody.
He was transported to a hospital, treated for his injuries, and released several days later.
Authorities confirmed that a conflict-of-interest review was conducted pursuant to the Attorney General’s directive, and no actual or potential conflicts were identified among those assigned to the investigation.
Prior to its presentation to the grand jury, the case was reviewed by the Attorney General’s Fatal Police Encounters Unit. Gloucester County First Assistant Prosecutor Dana R. Anton presented the matter to the grand jury.
Following grand jury proceedings, OPIA will determine whether any administrative review is warranted under the Attorney General’s Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures.
The case is now considered closed from a criminal standpoint.