Crime & Safety

Authorities Investigate Murder of Retired Firefighter

Former Essex County emergency worker strangled in home, possibly during burglary.

Authorities are investigating the murder of a 88-year-old retired Irvington firefighter, who was found dead in his home on Thursday, March 19.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office recently released the cause of death – strangulation – of Donald Dreher, a former emergency worker.

Authorities are investigating the possibility that Dreher was the victim of a burglary gone wrong.

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According to a previous release, Irvington police officers found Dreher dead in his 18th Avenue home when they arrived to make a welfare check around 11:22 a.m.

The investigation is active and ongoing, stated the ECPO.

Find out what's happening in South Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers Program is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information should contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-847-7432 or 1-877-TIPS-4-EC.

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