Bridgeton Police Officer Dies Just Hours After Trying To Rescue Woman From River
BRIDGETON, N.J. (CBS) -- A South Jersey police department is mourning the loss of one of its own. Bridgeton police Officer Sean Peek died hours after he jumped into a river while following a suspect.
According to police, Peek was found unresponsive in his home after his shift.
The Bridgeton Police Department is devastated and declined to speak on camera but they say the officer will be sorely missed.
Peek, a 15-year veteran of the Bridgeton Police Department, took his last breath Sunday morning. Peek died just hours after he tried to rescue a woman from a river.
According to police, Peek and other officers responded to a call at a Bridgeton Fire Department station on Mayor Aitken Drive for a report of a person hitting an ambulance with an unidentified object.
Police say Peek saw the woman running through the woods and then eventually jump or fall into the Cohansey River.
Peek followed her into the river and attempted to pull her to safety, but police say he had a difficult time making it back to shore and other officers had to help him get out.
Peek went to the hospital to be checked out and died after being released.
"We are naturally devastated here at the department, Sean was a fine officer and a friend to all and always acted in an exemplary fashion when representing the department and the City of Bridgeton," Bridgeton Police Chief Michael A. Gaimari Sr. said. "He will be sorely missed and our hearts collectively go out to Megan and their 8-year-old daughter Kate."
Police arrested 29-year-old Sarah Davis, of Canton, Connecticut, after she made it across the river.
Davis has been charged with burglarizing several city-owned structures, including the fire department building, and breaking several windows.
Officials are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death. Officer Peek leaves behind a wife and an 8-year-old daughter.
