COVID Claims 2 NJ Law Enforcement Officers In Their 50s

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Two Hudson County law enforcement agencies are mourning the loss of officers, both in their 50s, who died of COVID-19 complications in the last days of 2021.

The Hudson County Sheriff's Office said one of their lieutenants passed away on Dec. 27 from complications due to COVID-19, which was "contracted in the line of duty" according to his obituary. Services for Matthew Adam Vogel, 50, were held Tuesday, Jan. 4.

The obituary said, "Even though a disease took him away from this world, his spirit of service leaves a beacon of light for our community."

And this past Sunday, a statewide law enforcement organization said a police corporal in Hudson County's Corrections Department had died of complications from COVID two days before Christmas. Shawn Williams, 54, was to be honored in a ceremony in Jersey City Friday, Jan. 7.

Mourning The Losses

Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari said last week, "The entire Hudson County Sheriff’s Office today mourns the passing of agreat man, friend and exemplary public servant in Lieutenant Matthew Vogel. Lieutenant Vogel served the people of Hudson County with great honor over the course of his distinguished career."

According to Hudson County, Vogel began serving as a member of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 and was promoted to detective in 2007, sergeant in 2011 and lieutenant in 2017, said the office.

"I had the pleasure of working alongside him for 22 years," Schillari said, "and he will forever be an icon in our office. He always put the needs and safety of our community first, going back to 1990 when he became a member of the North Bergen EMS. He wore many hats, working as SWAT commander, a member of the accident reconstruction and investigation unit, heading the newly formed high water rescue team."

He added, "We will never forget the service of Lieutenant Vogel and his contributions to our office. He will be deeply missed by all that were lucky enough to have known him. His family is in all of our thoughts and prayers.”

According to the obituary, Vogel is survived by his mother and her husband, Wilma and Robert Demori; his brother Mark Vogel and his fiancée, Maria-Daphne Kazanis; his nephews, Luke and Jack Vogel; his girlfriend, Janice Doerner; his aunt and uncle, Dodie and Doug Hakes; his cousin, Lisa Brennan, and her children, Greg and Alyssa Brennan. He is predeceased by his father, Philip J. Vogel.

Williams Was Officer In County Corrections Office

On Sunday, a New Jersey police organization wrote:

The ceremony for Williams was scheduled for Friday in Jersey City.

Nationwide, hundreds of officers who have contracted COVID in the course of their jobs, especially at the beginning of the pandemic when protective equipment and tests were limited and hospitals were overwhelmed. Many New Jersey officers are not listed on that national list, including this officer whose widow has been raising awareness about vaccinations.

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