Beloved Paramus Police Officer, Army Veteran, Dies At 42

PARAMUS, NJ — A beloved member of the Paramus Police department died unexpectedly over the weekend, the department announced.

Allan Alvarez, 42, of Rahway, died Sunday at Overlook Medical Center in Summit from complications of a medical procedure.

Born in Plainfield but raised in Piscataway, Alvarez was a 1996 graduate of Piscataway High School, according to his obituary.

A veteran of the United States Army, Alvarez served in Bosnia and also did a tour in Operation Desert Fox. He was honorably discharged in 2001.

He joined the Paramus Police Department in 2006, and served with the department until his death, recently being promoted to the Traffic Safety Unit, according to the department.

Mayor Richard LaBarbiera sent his condolences to the department, and Alvarez's loved ones, in a message on Facebook.

"Paramus' unexpectedly lost one of their finest yesterday. On behalf of our entire community I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of PO Alvarez. Allan, thank you for your service to your country and the Borough of Paramus. RIP."

Alvarez is survived by his mother, Leonilde Alvarez of Piscataway; his "longtime love," Dipa Patel of Rahway; brothers Giovanni Zamora of Stockton and Alexander Alvarez of Nanuet, New York; and three nieces and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Alvarez-Rodriguez; sister Evelyn Hidalgo; and brother, Daniel Alvarez.

A visitation was held Thursday, and a funeral mass was scheduled for Friday morning at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church in Piscataway.

He will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the American Diabetes Association.