A veteran Perth Amboy police lieutenant died from COVID-19, the city mayor’s office said Thursday.
According to city officials, Lt. David Formeza was assigned to the nightshift A Squad patrol bureau and previously a member of the SWAT team.
“Lt. Formeza, with 18 years of service, was highly regarded and loved by the Perth Amboy Police Department and community,” Mayor Helmin Caba said in a statement.
“On behalf of the City of Perth Amboy, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fellow law enforcement officers. We will miss you and will always remember you,” the announcement added.
Details on funeral arrangements were being handled by Flynn and Sons Funeral home, the city said.
COVID-19 remained the leading line-of-duty killer of law enforcement officers nationwide, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a database of police deaths.
Earlier this month, New Jersey’s acting attorney general and other top state law enforcement officials unveiled a memorial honoring officers who died from the virus. Officials said the illness has claimed the lives of 28 members of law enforcement agencies in New Jersey.