Long Branch Area Cop Got Engaged On Christmas Eve. Then He Died.

As engagements go, this one went by the book - or the storybook.

Earl Alexander’s son walked into a room carrying a sign that read, “Our family is missing just 1 thing,” Krista Richter-DeLisa told nj.com.

Then walked in 6-year-old Taylor, his daughter, who had another sign, according to nj.com:

“Will you be our step-mom and wear daddy’s ring(?)“

That dream ended a week later, when the New Jersey police captain died after his car flipped and hit a pole Saturday during the early morning hours, police said.

Alexander, 38, died as a result of his injuries sustained in the collision. He was the captain of the Deal Police Department.

“He was the best man ever,” Richter-DeLisa told nj.com by phone Sunday. “He was literally loved by everybody. He didn’t have a single enemy. He worked his (butt) off his entire life, and rose to the top of everything he did.”

Friends remembered him as the “best man” and best friend they could have, a hard-working police officer who quickly rose through the ranks. NJ.com noted that Alexander, his ex-wife and his fiancee had maintained a close bond for the children.

A GoFundMe page was set up by the family to raise money for the children. The page had raised nearly $3,000 by mid-day Monday:

“Taylor and Earl bring so much joy and energy to our lives. They are loved unconditionally by many of us, so no donation is too small.”

Alexander was also assistant chief of the Deal Fire Co. #2, and past chief of the Oakhurst Fire Department, and a volunteer with both First Aid Squads, according to his obituary..

The accident happened at approximately 12:33 a.m., when police responded to a motor vehicle crash on Route 71 southbound, north of Perrine Avenue, in Ocean Township. The single car collision involved a 2007 Acura TSX that was operated by Alexander, poice said.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle was traveling southbound on Route 71 approaching the intersection of Perrine Avenue.

The Deal resident lost control of the vehicle, which left the roadway, flipped on its side and struck a utility pole, police said.

Deal police released a statement on the department’s Facebook page:

“It is with deep regret and sadness that the Deal Police Department announces the sudden death of our Captain Earl Alexander. Captain Alexander passed away last night after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Please keep his family, friends and members of this department in your thoughts and prayers. Funeral arrangements and services will be announced as soon as they become available.”

The collision is being investigated by Officer Alisa Antunez of the Township of Ocean Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Response Team.

Anyone that may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Traffic Safety Bureau at 732-531-1800.

Visitation for Alexander will be on Thursday at the Buckley Funeral Home, 509 Second Ave., Asbury Park from 3-7 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m. in Holy Spirit Church, 705 Second Ave., Asbury Park.

In lieu of flowers please remit donations to the “Taylor and Earl V Education Fund,” 36 Whalepond Road, Oakhurst N.J. 07755. For condolences please visit www.Buckleyfuneralhome.net.

Photo: Taylor, Early (son) and Capt. Earl Alexander