Newark police officer fatally shot outside Paterson strip cl
Newark police officer fatally shot outside Paterson strip club
From NJ.com
Quote:
PATERSON — A Newark police detective was shot and killed outside a Paterson strip club during a robbery attempt early this morning, according to Newark police.
Michael Morgan was shot outside the Sunrise Lounge club on Straight Street around 3 a.m., according to Sgt. Ron Glover of the Newark police. The officer was taken to the nearby St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, but died shortly thereafter, Glover confirmed.
"It's sad," said Derrick Hatcher, president of Newark's Fraternal Order of Police. "It really is."
The 32-year-old officer was a 6-year-veteran of the NPD, according to Jimmy Stewart, VP of the Newark FOP.
Anthony Weiners, president the of state Patrolmen's Benevolent's Association said Morgan died while trying to stop an armed robbery.
"He was a real, outstanding cop. He had a nose for police work. He was always in good jobs," said Stewart, who would not identify the officer by name.
He said the officer was once part of Newark's narcotics squad.
The officer was a regular on the FOP bus trips to Washington D.C. every year for police memorials.
"It's a big loss for the NPD," said Stewart. "If you were calling for help you wanted to hear Mike Morgan was coming for backup."
Newark Mayor Cory Booker issued a statement mourning the loss of the officer. "Our condolences go out to the family of Detective Michael Morgan," Booker said. "Detective Morgan was a proud and courageous servant of our city. His loss is tragic, and the circumstances of his death make it all the more painful."
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office said they're working on the investigation, with Paterson and Newark police departments.
“The bottom line is there was a robbery,” John Latoracca, chief assistant prosecutor, said. “We don’t get into specifics, at least from my office.”
Latoracca said Morgan was shot once after the robbery had taken place, and was formally pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s. He also said the Sunrise Lounge has not had a homicide in the last nine years that he’s been chief of the prosecutor’s homicide unit.
The state's largest police union offered a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of those responsible for Morgan's death, Weiners said.
“This officer gave his life to stop a criminal who had already robbed another citizen. This rising level of violence must be stopped," Wieners said in a statement. "This $10,000 reward guarantees that this suspect will never get a moments rest without thinking someone is giving him up."
In May, Newark Officer William Johnson was shot and killed while ordering food at a South Ward chicken restaurant.
