Holly MatkinMarple Township, PA – Marple Police Department (MPD) Officer Brian Niedelman died suddenly while on duty on Dec. 8, according to his department.
Fellow MPD officers discovered the 31-year-old officer’s body inside his vehicle in Thomas Field, according to the Delaware County Daily Times.
His exact cause of death was not released.
“Quite a few people have reached out to our department this week to express their condolences and desire to help our department as we struggle through this difficult time,” the MPD told the Delaware County Daily Times in a statement. “Please know that we as a department are helping each other through our grief. Our department is a tight knit family who care very deeply for each other.”
“We thank you sincerely for all of your kind words, meals, thoughts and prayers. Just knowing that we serve such a supportive community is extremely comforting,” the MPD said. “We would ask that you continue to keep Officer Niedelman’s family in your thoughts and prayers as well.”
Officer Niedelman served the department for three-and-one-half years.
He worked for Amtrak police for over four years prior to joining MPD, the Delaware County Daily Times reported.
He also served the Collingdale Police Department earlier in his law enforcement career, according to the Marple Newtown Patch.
“Brian was loved and admired by all who he came into contact with,” his obituary read. “He lit up any room he walked into and everyone immediately gravitated to him. His family was everything to him.”
Officer Niedelman leaves behind his wife and high school sweetheart, Lacey, his six-year-old son, Mason, and his 18-month-old daughter, Ella.
He is also survived by his parents and siblings.
“Brian would drop everything to help any friend or family in need,” his obituary read. “He will be best remembered for his unconditional love and constant smile on his face.”
A fundraising page established to help Officer Niedelman’s family in the wake of their loss has raised over $125,600 so far.
He will be laid to rest on Thursday, according to his obituary.
Tragic death of Marple Newtown Police Officer Brian Niedelman – He leaves behind a wife and two small children. Please contribute if you can https://t.co/mpLsQRmf1p
— Jon Marks (@JonMarksMedia) December 12, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Marple Police Department Officer Brian Niedelman, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
