Hero Down: Reading PD Investigator Christopher Mayer Found Dead Of Suicide

Spring Township, PA – Reading Police Department (RPD) Criminal Investigator Christopher “CJ” Mayer died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday.

A Spring Township police officer discovered the 53-year-old investigator’s body inside a vehicle at Wilson Southern Middle School just after 8:30 p.m., Spring Township Police Chief Bryan Ross told the Reading Eagle on Monday.

Reading Police Chief Andres Dominguez said he was notified of Investigator Mayer’s death on Sunday night, the Reading Eagle reported.

“This has been a shock to all of us and our prayers and concerns are with his family,” Chief Dominguez said.

The Berks County coroner’s office ultimately ruled that the veteran officer’s death was a suicide.

Investigator Mayer began his law enforcement career as a Berks County Prison corrections officer, where he served for five years, according to his obituary.

He was hired as a patrolman with the RPD in 1998, and was promoted to the rank of criminal investigator in 2006.

Investigator Mayer also served with the Auto Theft Unit during his career.

“The Berks County District Attorney’s office sends its deepest condolences to the family of CJ Mayer and to his brothers and sisters at the City of Reading Police Department,” the district attorney’s office said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

“We are all saddened by his loss and are grateful for his 21 years of diligent service to our community,” the post read.

Investigator Mayer will be remembered for the devotion he had “to everyone and everything in his life,” his obituary read.

“Chris was a mentor to many people, a loving and loyal husband, and a devoted father,” according to the tribute.

He also organized a 5K memorial race, which provided scholarships to Kutztown University and Wilson School District students in honor of his late son, Bradley.

Investigator Mayer leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Rhonda, as well as his sons, Matthew and Andrew.

He is also survived by his sister, uncle, nieces, and nephews.

Investigator Mayer will be laid to rest on Friday.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Reading Police Department Criminal Investigator Christopher “CJ” Mayer, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.