A 54-year-old off-duty Perth Amboy police officer died after crashing his car following a medical emergency Thursday night, officials said.
Arcadio Rivera was driving his personal vehicle around 7:30 p.m. in the Harbortown section of the city when he struck several parked cars, Mayor Helmin Caba said Thursday.
Police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers removed Rivera from his vehicle but their life-saving efforts were hampered when he went into cardiac arrest, Caba said. Rivera was pronounced dead at Raritan Bay Medical Center in the city.
A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Rivera served on the city’s police force for 26 years, most recently in the patrol division. He is survived by three sons.
“Please join us in thoughts and prayers at this difficult time for the Rivera family as well as the entire community,” the mayor said.
State Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, who represents Perth Amboy, also offered her condolences.
“It is with a heavy heart that the City of Perth Amboy mourns the loss of Officer Arcadio Rivera,” Lopez said in a statement. “I join our community in sending prayers to Officer Rivera’s family and friends during this difficult time. Officer Rivera’s legacy of commitment to protecting and serving the people of Perth Amboy will remain strong and serve as an inspiration to all current and future officers in this great city.”
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