NJ State Police Sergeant Dies After Work-Related Injury

NEW JERSEY - The New Jersey State Police is mourning the loss of Sergeant First Class Sean William Acker, who died on Wednesday. Acker, of the Division Staff Section, died due to complications from a medical condition resulting from a work-related injury, NJSP Acting Superintendent LTC David Sierotowicz said Thursday.

Acker dedicated more than 19 years of service to the New Jersey State Police and was a member of the 145th State Police Class.

Born in Abington, Pennsylvania, and raised in Howell Township, Acker enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1998. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was among the original “Ravens” in the Air Force, forming lifelong bonds along the way, according to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

In 2006, Acker joined the New Jersey State Police and among his many roles, he served as the head instructor for the Physical Training Unit at the Academy, where he pushed recruits to exceed their limits—often leading runs of five to 10 miles a day, the foundation said.

Over the years, the physical toll of years of training led to severe hip injuries and a double hip replacement.

Following surgery and subsequent complications, Acker suffered a cardiac arrest caused by a blood clot that led to a pulmonary embolism, resulting in a traumatic brain injury, the foundation said.

"The impact of running on his hips eventually caused him to need a double hip replacement. Eight months later, Acker was ready to go back to full duty before he began having issues with his right leg again. Ten days after having a residual surgery to resolve the issue, he went into cardiac arrest caused by a blood clot that formed, which led to a pulmonary embolism. Because his heart stopped for a long period of time, Acker sustained a traumatic brain injury," according to the foundation.

He faced a long and difficult recovery marked by additional medical challenges. He was a recipient of the Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program, which helped him continue his recovery.

Acker is survived by his wife, Retired Captain Lisa Acker, and their two children, Connor and Samantha.

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