Police Union Asks For Support Following Wayne Officer's Firing

WAYNE, N.J. — The township's police union is asking for members to attend a council meeting tonight to support an officer who was fired for allegedly eating in a diner when he received a call to help someone who was in cardiac arrest.

Erik Ferschman was fired Nov. 21 after he allegedly neglected his duty and and for his "lack of candor," for eating without permission at the Park Wayne Diner, which was outside of his patrol area, with other officers when he received a call, according to a report by NJ.com.

Ferschman allegedly continued to eat and paid for his share of the food before leaving the diner to respond to the call, according to an internal investigation of the incident, according to the report.

Ferschman also did not report the correct time he arrived to the dispatcher and sped back to the diner, telling the dispatcher he was still at the scene when he was back at the diner, according to the report. The patient died before Ferschman arrived at the scene, which, Ferschman argued, was not because he was late getting there.

The The New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association put a notice on its website asking residents to support Ferschman in front of the Township Council at its 7 p.m. meeting tonight.

Ferschman has filed a suit as a result of his termination.

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