Holly MatkinLakewood, NJ – Barnegat Police Department (BPD) Officer Alex Hoffman died on Wednesday, after he went into cardiac arrest while working off-duty at a construction site.
First responders were called to the construction site at approximately 1 p.m., The Lakewood Scoop reported.
When they arrived, they found witnesses performing CPR on Officer Hoffman, who operated the construction company in his off-time.
Officer Hoffman was rushed to Ocean Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, The Lakewood Scoop reported.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely death of Patrolman Alex Hoffman,” the BPD said in a Facebook post on Thursday. “Ptl. Hoffman died off-duty, doing what he always did– working hard to provide for his wife and two children.”
During his nearly 17 years with BPD, Officer Hoffman “was always here to serve the Barnegat community however he could,” the department said.
“Ptl. Alex Hoffman represented the best of the Barnegat PD and our profession,” Barnegat Police Chief Keith Germain said in a tweet.
When Superstorm Sandy struck in 2012, the veteran officer donated his 2.5-ton truck to help first responders conduct high-water rescues, saving multiple lives, according to his department.
He was also dedicated to procuring surplus equipment for his fellow officers from any sources he could find.
Officer Hoffman ultimately brought in “over $500,000 worth of high-water rescue and off-road vehicles for our Township, free of charge,” according to the BPD.
The agency thanked the community and surrounding law enforcement agencies for their “huge outpouring of support” in the wake of Officer Hoffman’s sudden death.
“Our thoughts are with Alex’s wife, children, family, and friends as they navigate this incredibly difficult time,” the department’s post read.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Barnegat Police Department Officer Alex Hoffman, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.