North Ridgeville, OH – North Ridgeville Police Department (NRPD) Sergeant Dean Mraz, a 22-year-veteran of the department, died suddenly on Apr. 3.

Sgt. Mraz, 50, was “suddenly stricken” with an undisclosed medical issue at his residence, and was rushed to a local hospital, where he passed away, according to the Herald Times Reporter.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I make this post,” NRPD said in a Facebook message the morning after his death. “Last night one of our own, Sgt. Dean Mraz, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes at home.”

“Dean began serving the people of this community in 1995 and continued doing that until yesterday,” NRPD said. “Dean had been in the detective bureau, part of the motorcycle unit, a D.A.R.E. officer and a field training officer.”

Sgt. Mraz, a former U.S. Marine, had also served as a police officer in Fairfax, Virginia, prior to joining NRPD, his department said.

“Dean was a good policeman, but more importantly, Dean loved,” the department said. “In everything he did.”

He leaves behind his wife of 26 years, Lucy, as well as his teenage children, Dean and Isabel, according to the Herald Times Reporter.

“[He] loved his family fiercely,” his department said.

Sgt. Mraz was described as an adored member of the department, who “loved to joke around,” according to NRPD.

“His laugh was infectious, and if you could get him to apologize for something, his Wisconsin accent would come out strong as he told you he was ‘Sorey,’” the agency remembered fondly.

NRPD asked the community to pray for Sgt. Mraz’s family, and then requested one small favor.

“We don’t ask for much, but maybe say one for us too,” the department’s post read. “This is a tough one. Rest easy Deano.”

Sgt. Mraz was laid to rest on Apr. 9.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of North Ridgeville Police Sergeant Dean Mraz, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.