Beloved NJ police officer known as ‘Mr. Glen Ridge’ dies of coronavirus

A popular New Jersey police officer known as “Mr. Glen Ridge” has died of coronavirus, weeks after contracting the diꦗsease while on duty, department officials said.

Glen Ridge Police Officer Charles “Rob” Roberts, 45, died Monday at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, roughly t🥀hree weeks after he was rushed by ambulance on April 21 to New Jersey’s Mountainside Medical Center when his heart stopped while fighting the virus, poඣlice said.

“Rob was an active member of the police department and he served the residents of Glen Ridge with distinction and honor,” Glen Ridge police . “He lived a beautiful life and h🐠ad a positive impact on everyone he touched.”

Roberts, a 20-year department vet, was unofficially known as “Mr. Glen Ridge” due to his popularit🔴y with both colleagues and residents. His death marks the first line-of-duty fatality in the department’s 125-year history, police said.

“The loss of Officer Roberts has extinguished the presence of a pillar and staple within the law ღenforcement community and the Borough of Glen Ridge,” department officials . “Rest easy our brother in blue, you will never be forgotten and have left a permanent mark on each life you have touched.”

Roberts, a Livingston native, is survived by his wife, Al✤ice, and the couple’s three children, police said. He’s the 12th New Jersey cop to die from coronavirus complications, .

“Rob was much beloved by everybody who knew him, especially the chi🥃ldren here ☂in the community,” Glen Ridge Mayor Stuart Patrick told the website.