8-Year-Old Girl Who Died Suddenly On New Year's Eve Was Cop's Daughter, Youth Cheerleader

An 8-year-old girl who died suddenly on New Year’s Eve was the daughter of a Stratford police officer and a youth cheerleader, according to published reports.

Sailor Lane Righter's father, Kenneth Righter, is listed as a patrolman who serves as a warrant officer, firearms instructor and civil service team member, nj.com reports.

Only family members were present when Stratford Police responded to a 9-1-1 call in the first block of Union Avenue at about 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, for the report of an unresponsive person, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office said on Wednesday.

The girl was taken to to Kennedy Hospital Stratford Division, where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at 2:15 p.m.

On Thursday, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Public Information Officer Robert English said only the immediate family was home at the time of the incident, but he couldn't comment on the victim's identity or provide any further information.

“Sailor was a beautiful little girl with an infectious smile,” according to her obituary. “She adored cheerleading and playing softball. She will be forever missed by her family.”

She is survived by her father and her mother, Vencenia M. (nee Lambert) Righter. She had two siblings, Sheamus and Bryce.

It was one of her siblings who called 911, according to philly.com.

"My mom just went upstairs and found her, and she told me to call 911," he told the dispatcher, according to the report. "She's not breathing."

A memorial fund has been established, according to the Sterling Lady Knights Cheerleading organization, which called her “a glowing young lady who’s loss has touched so many,” in a Facebook post.

Checks can be sent to “Sailor Knight Memorial Fund” ℅ Stratford Police Department, 315 Union Avenue, Stratford, NJ, 08084. In-person donations can be made out to Sailor Righter Memorial Fund, c/0 TD Bank of Stratford, 55 South White Horse Pike, Stratford, NJ 08084.

The attached image of Sailor Righter was posted with her obituary by Zale Funeral Home