Holly MatkinLakewood, NJ – Ocean County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) Officer Brian Stockhoff died in a single-vehicle crash on Feb. 14.
The off-duty, 41-year-old officer was traveling southbound in the area of Dumbarton Drive and Shorrock Street in his 2005 Toyota Sienna when he crashed into a brick wall outside the Leisure Village East community at approximately 3:45 a.m., NJ.com reported.
Officer Stockhoff succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The Lakewood Police Department (LPD) and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office are handling the ongoing investigation into the incident, NJ.com report.
The exact cause of the crash has not been released.
The OCSO confirmed the veteran officer’s death in a Facebook post later that night.
“On behalf of Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and the entire staff at the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office we mourn the loss of Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer Brian Stockhoff,” the post read. “We will miss his smile and his compassion for others. Please keep Officer Stockhoff and his family in your thoughts and prayers during the difficult days ahead. We will miss our brother Brian!”
Officer Stockhoff joined the OCSO in 2007 and was the class leader of the Ocean County Police Academy Class #89, according to his department.
He played a pivotal role in the creation of the agency’s Mounted Unit, which launched in 2014, the Asbury Park Press reported.
Officer Stockhoff initially served with his equine partner, Sambuca, and was partnered with Kianti at the time of his death.
In addition to his service with the OCSO, Officer Stockhoff was also a U.S. Army veteran who served two years in Iraq, according to his obituary.
He leaves behind his wife, Heather, and his children, Brody and Madison.
Officer Stockhoff is also survived by his brothers, nieces, and nephews.
He was laid to rest on Feb. 18.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Ocean County Sheriff Officer Brian Stockhoff who died in an off-duty car crash today. @OceanCounty911 pic.twitter.com/nUe8jXtswd
— New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) February 15, 2022
The funeral procession today for Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer Brian Stockhoff, who died in a single-vehicle accident in Lakewood last week. pic.twitter.com/1Z1NtiN8c3
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) February 20, 2022
Ocean’s Harbor House offers our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Brian Stockhoff who passed Monday. Mounted Officer Stockhoff and Kianti led our “A Walk in Their Shoes” event this past November on the Asbury Park boardwalk. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/UZRmLNfjLI
— Ocean's Harbor House (@njharborhouse) February 15, 2022
Lakewood Shomrim was stunned and saddened at the sudden passing of the Ocean County Sheriff's Department's Mounting Unit Officer Brian Stockhoff
Brian, a devoted member of the law enforcement community committed to the safety of the people he served, will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/iVjITUo5jy— LCSW/Shomrim (@lcswshomrim) February 14, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Officer Brian Stockhoff, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
