Holly MatkinGreenwich, CT – Greenwich Police Department (GPD) Officer Justin Quagliani died on Dec. 17 after suffering an off-duty medical emergency at his home.
The 38-year-old officer was rushed to Greenwich Hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead, the GPD said in a press release later that day.
According to one of his family members, Officer Quagliani’s cause of death was determined to have been a heart attack, the New Haven Register reported.
Prior to his career with the GPD, Officer Quagliani spent a decade serving in the U.S. Army.
He was a military police sergeant in both Kuwait and Iraq, and received numerous certifications and awards during his military service.
Officer Quagliani joined the GPD in late 2015, according to the New Haven Register.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said at the time of his swearing-in ceremony. “It’s been a dream of mine for so long.”
Officer Quagliani also served as the GPD’s defensive tactics trainer, according to the New Haven Register.
“He was well-liked,” GPD Lieutenant John Slusarz told the paper. “He had a lot of friends in the department.”
Earlier this year, Officer Quagliani was recognized for having helped save the life of an unconscious woman by performing CPR on her until paramedics arrived at the scene, the Greenwich Sentinel reported.
“During the four years he has served the Greenwich Police Department, Officer Justin Quagliani continuously demonstrated that he possessed the qualities and the abilities to be an asset not only to the department but to the entire Greenwich community,” Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo said. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his police brothers and sisters who mourn his sudden passing.”
Officer Quagliani leaves behind his wife, Mia, as well as his daughter, Nadia, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his father, stepmother, and five siblings.
Hundreds of people attended Officer Quagliani’s memorial service on Monday morning, according to the New Haven Register.
A fundraising page established to help the fallen officer’s family in the wake of his sudden death has raised over $18,000.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Greenwich Police Department Officer Justin Quagliani, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.