Secaucus Police Lieutenant Dies After Long Battle With Brain Cancer

SECAUCUS, NJ — Thomas "TJ" Malanka, Jr., 43, died this week of brain cancer, confirmed Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller.

Malanka died early in the morning on Monday. He died peacefully surrounded by his family, according to his obituary. It had been a long battle with brain cancer.

Malanka followed in his father's footsteps when he chose to become a Secaucus Police officer, as he is the son of retired Captain Thomas Malanka, Sr. He is not only survived by his mother and father, but also leaves behind his wife and two children, both boys, said Miller.

Malanka had been a Secaucus Police officer for nearly 25 years, having first joined the force in 2002. He was born and raised in Secaucus, and then moved to Maywood and then Saddle River.

Malanka rose to the rank of lieutenant in the Secaucus Police force. He previously worked as a patrol supervisor, platoon commander and extra duty coordinator. Malanka also served on the Hudson County Rapid Deployment Force for more than a decade.

"It is with a heavy hard that I announce the passing of Lieutenant Thomas Malanka Jr., known as TJ," said Miller. "Lieutenant Malanka served the residents of Secaucus with honor and distinction for almost 25 years. He was an exemplary and no-nonsense leader and one who I considered most of all, a friend."

"Lieutenant Malanka will be missed by all, especially by his loving wife and two boys," continued Miller. "On behalf of the Secaucus Police Department, I want to extend my thanks to everyone who has reached out expressing their condolences. Please keep Lieutenant Malanka Jr., his family and his SPD family in your heart and prayers."

"T.J. lived more life in 43 years than many people do over a long lifetime," read his obituary. "He loved to plan trips with his family and friends, especially to wherever the Yankees were playing on the road. He would research all the best places to have a great meal, and to enjoy a particular city’s culture. He and his sons frequented Buffalo, N.Y. to see his beloved Sabres and the Bills play."

The family will receive friends this Friday, August 28, from to 4-8 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue in Wyckoff. His funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at St. Gabriel the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Saddle River. Interment will follow at George Washington Cemetery in Paramus.