Holly MatkinWaterford, NJ – Pemberton Police Department (PPD) Officer Brian Lucykanish died in a two-vehicle crash while off-duty on Feb. 2.
The fatal collision occurred in the 1000-block of Jackson Road in Camden County, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Details regarding the circumstances of the crash were not immediately released.
The PPD confirmed the 31-year-old officer’s death in a press release the following day.
“The Pemberton Township Police Department must regretfully announce the untimely passing of Patrolman Brian Lucykanish #18150,” the department said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and all members of his law enforcement and United States Air Force family as well.”
Officer Lucykanish enlisted with the U.S. Air Force (USAF) immediately after he graduated from high school in 2009, according to his obituary.
He was a member of the Security Forces and served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq during his time on Active Duty and Active Duty Reserves.
“Brian’s dream was to use the skills he learned with the USAF Security Forces for a career in public law enforcement,” his obituary read.
After his active-duty service, Officer Lucykanish remained in the USAF Reserves and joined the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department (BCSD) in 2017.
He began serving the PPD in 2020.
PPD Chief Jay Watters said the young officer was “a loved member of our police family and someone who was extremely easy to get along with,” the Pine Barrens Tribune reported.
“One of the things that stands out to us about Brian was his ability to always keep his cool and get people who were irate to calm down and talk with him,” Chief Watters told the news outlet. “He loved chatting with people about any subject that came up and would routinely use that gift to help de-escalate situations. We are going to miss Brian, his humor and the great conversations that we would have over the past couple of years.”
Officer Lucykanish leaves behind his wife of six years, Kirstin, and his four children, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his parents, siblings, nephews, nieces, in-laws, uncles, aunts, cousins, and many friends and colleagues from the USAF, the PPD, and the BCSD.
Officer Lucykanish was laid to rest on Feb. 11.
Rest in peace Officer Brian Lucykanish pic.twitter.com/Q0ZM9h5nGN
— William Schievella (@BillSchievella) February 3, 2023
Rest in peace Officer Brian Lucykanish pic.twitter.com/fTsqPbCeNa
— paul melega (@LEHPD1645) February 3, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Pemberton Police Department Officer Brian Lucykanish, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
