A Hudson County sheriff’s officer died Friday after falling via a window at an administrative constructing in Jersey Metropolis.
The Hudson County prosecutor’s workplace later recognized the officer as 29-year-old Justin Rivera and mentioned the circumstances of his fall seemed to be unintended.
Rivera fell from a ninth ground window round 9:30 a.m. Friday on the Hudson County Administration Constructing on Newark Avenue, the prosecutor’s workplace mentioned. He was taken to Jersey Metropolis Medical Middle, the place he was pronounced lifeless a short while later.
The prosecutor’s workplace mentioned Rivera was on responsibility on the time, however the constructing was not open to the general public as a consequence of an unrelated energy outage.
Hudson County Government Craig Man launched a press release about Rivera’s loss of life, saying, “I want to specific my condolences to the household of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Officer who tragically handed away. My prayers additionally exit to the Hudson County Sheriff and all of the Sheriff’s Officers, who misplaced a devoted brother at the moment.”
“Noticed a man coming straight down”
Witnesses on the road under described listening to the glass shatter after which listening to the physique hit the bottom. They mentioned police rapidly got here out of the constructing and began administering CPR.
“I heard glass shatter after which instantly regarded up, and noticed a man coming straight down,” witness Steve Roosen mentioned. “I noticed the officers carry out CPR, perhaps, 3 times, after which simply cease.”
Roosen mentioned when he regarded up within the moments after, he noticed two heads within the window body.
“Noticed two heads trying down, as everybody was coming to the scene,” he mentioned.
Eleni Vittas mentioned she was serving to her 91-year-old mom into her automotive when she heard a loud bang. She added the officer was not in uniform.
“My first thought was perhaps there was scaffolding and any individual fell off, as a result of I assumed I heard [a groan], like that kind of factor. I regarded up, and there was damaged window from the constructing,” Vittas mentioned. “I ran over to see if any individual had fallen, and there was any individual on the bottom.”
“I used to be sitting exterior this morning on a espresso break, and out of the blue I see simply a number of law enforcement officials round, and I noticed, it appears like, any individual jumped from the ninth ground,” mentioned witness Adriano Silva, happening to say, “It is loopy, I’ve by no means seen something like this in my life.”
Bayonne group mourns lack of Justin Rivera
Rivera was a father and a boxing coach.
Mates gathered Friday exterior Rivera’s family-owned martial arts studio in Bayonne, the place an indication posted on the door learn, “Household Emergency! Closed until Monday!” A memorial was rising on the sidewalk exterior.
Devin Ortiz educated with Rivera.
“I am in shock. I am simply in shock,” he mentioned. “Phenomenal athlete himself. He was a Golden Gloves champ, and he was an awesome coach, an awesome mentor.”
“It is unhappy that this occurred to him. It’s totally unhappy,” good friend Noa Ramos mentioned. “He was coaching very diligently to attempt to shield us on this group.”
Ramos added, “He is a superb, superb man. He was an outstanding coach to all of us. He liked us all right here.”
Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis wrote in a press release: “We’re all heartbroken over the tragic lack of lifetime of certainly one of Bayonne’s protectors Justin Rivera. Justin, an officer with the Hudson County Sheriff’s Workplace, a former Bayonne Police Officer, and father, died whereas on responsibility in Jersey Metropolis this morning. Justin’s dedication to the general public security of our group and his devotion to his daughter Rayne shall be his legacy, which we’ll always remember. Our complete metropolis is mourning with Justin’s complete household, his buddies, and the regulation enforcement group.”
