New Jersey Suicide: Sheriff Takes Own Life in Restaurant Following Layoffs, Charges Against Fellow Officers

A New Jersey sheriff died in an apparent suicide in a restaurant following mass layoffs and charges against fellow officers over the beating of an inmate.

The victim was identified as Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik of Passaic County, New Jersey after he was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Tuesday. The incident comes one week after his department was caught up in turmoil over an incident with an inmate.

New Jersey Sheriff's Apparent Suicide

(Photo : Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
A New Jersey sheriff died in an apparent suicide in a restaurant following mass layoffs and charges against his fellow officers over the beating of an inmate.(not actual photo)

Three law enforcement sources familiar with the matter said that the body of Berdnik was discovered inside a Turkish restaurant known as Toros in Clifton at around 3:30 p.m. In a Facebook post, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh confirmed the death. He said that he affectionately referred to the deceased as "America's Sheriff."

The mayor added that the sheriff was an exemplary law enforcement leader and someone who he considered a "cherished friend." Sayegh had been at Toros earlier Tuesday to present a key to the city to the business owner after they donated 10,000 meals to people in need and free meals to doctors and nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, as per Yahoo News.

Berdnik's come as he was considered a stalwart figure in New Jersey law enforcement after having been sheriff for five terms. In January 2011, he was sworn in for the first time and his most recent re-election victory came when he got his fifth term in 2022. He is survived by his wife and four adult children.

The news of the New Jersey sheriff's apparent suicide death comes during a turbulent time for the Passaic County Sheriff's Office. A report last week noted that Berdnik had sent a memo to his department describing a challenging time at the agency and the need to lay off 29 jail corrections officers.

Furthermore, a Passaic County correctional officer and two sergeants were charged last week with deprivation of rights and conspiracy to obstruct justice in the alleged beating of a pretrial detainee.

Alleged Beating of an Inmate

In a statement, prosecutors said that the detainee involved in the incident was being held at the Passaic County Jail and was said to have splashed a mixture that contained urine onto a correctional officer, according to NBC News.

The day after, Sgts. Jose Gonzalez, 45, and Donald Vinales, 38, along with Officer Lorenzo Bowden, 39, took the detainee through an area of the jail that did not have a surveillance camera. The two sergeants allegedly assaulted the individual as he was handcuffed and Bowden was said to have not intervened.

In a statement, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said that he was deeply saddened by the news of Berdnik's passing and praised the late sheriff's more-than-four-decade career. He said that Berdnik earned the trust of his constituents in Passaic County and worked tirelessly to combat criminal activity.

The governor continued to say that he and his wife were fortunate enough to have counted Berdnik as a close friend. Murphy also said that they were sending their prayers and condolences to the deceased's wife and family, said the Independent.