Baltimore Officer Facing Charges In Freddie Gray's Death Has Local Ties
By Steve Patterson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's the moment that sparked protest, unrest, and a national conversation.
Now it's been labeled "criminal."
Criminal charges in the arrest of Freddie Gray.
Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby is calling Gray's arrest unlawful and his death a homicide.
CBS 3 Eyewitness News has learned one of them, 29-year-old Edward Nero, is not only from South Jersey but used to serve his community there.
"Ed Nero was a member of our department for approximately 10 years, from 2002 to about 2012," said Washington Township Fire Department Chief John Hoffman.
Chief Hoffman confirming to CBS 3 Eyewitness News Nero's tenure in the community.
Sources tell Eyewitness News Nero grew up and lived in Sewell.
His former chief says at the time he displayed outstanding character.
"During his tenure with us he was an outstanding and dedicated firefighter. He basically had a very clean record, was squeaky clean, never in trouble. He was just an all-around good guy for us," he said.
"We do a lot of business with guys down at the fire station."
Pizza shop worker Andrew Ciavardone says the firefighters are some of his best customers.
He says he didn't know Nero but is stunned to learn that the officer used to be firefighter from right down the street.
"Yeah it's weird, it's crazy. I didn't even know until a few minutes ago that there was someone from the fire department that was indicted down there," he said.
"We've lived here about 20 years," said resident Charles McHerron. "I never had any problem with the officers around here. They've always been pretty standup people."
McHerron says if the officers in Baltimore did wrong, justice should be served. But it shouldn't be an indictment of his community, especially the men and women who serve here.
"I don't really think it makes that much difference where he was from. You make a mistake, you make a mistake. So regardless of where you're from, it doesn't really make much difference."
Each one of the six Baltimore police officers faces their own individual set of charges. Nero is facing two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of office misconduct and one count of false imprisonment.
