Sheriff’s officer dies after falling from ninth-floor window at courthouse
HUDSON COUNTY, N.J. (News 12) - Police in New Jersey are investigating after the death of a sheriff’s officer who fell from a ninth-floor window of a county courthouse.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office says they were notified around 9:30 a.m. Friday that someone had fallen from the top floor window of the Hudson County istration Building in Jersey City.
The person who fell was identified as 29-year-old Officer Justin Rivera, who worked for the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Frank Schillari. He was on duty at the time of the incident.
Rivera was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 10 a.m. Officials say the cause of death was accidental, but the circumstances leading up it to are still being investigated.
Witness Steve Roosen happened to be walking by the courthouse when Rivera fell.
“Just surreal, unfortunate, sad, unnerving to see that happen,” he said.
The sheriff calls this one of the saddest and most horrific days his department has experienced. He called Rivera an excellent officer and an outstanding young man.
“Justin Rivera was a great young officer who exemplified the highest ideals of integrity, comion and professionalism. He is lost to us all but he will never be forgotten,” said Schillari in a statement.
The courthouse was not open to the public Friday due to a power outage, which officials say was unrelated to Rivera’s death.
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