Passaic County Sheriff dies by suicide in Clifton restaurant

Summary

Longtime Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik fatally shot himself in a Clifton restaurant bathroom, shocking friends, family, and colleagues. Berdnik was a 28-year Clifton police veteran, FBI Academy graduate, husband, and father. His death came after announcing jail staff layoffs due to the county jail closure. Friends remember Berdnik's commitment to serving his community throughout his law enforcement career. The Passaic prosecutor is investigating his death. Officials and community members express grief over the loss and questions over what led to this tragedy.

Takeaways

• 😢 Longtime Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik died by suicide inside a restaurant bathroom
• 👮 Berdnik had a distinguished law enforcement career spanning over 30 years
• 💔 Friends, family and colleagues are heartbroken over his sudden death
• 🔍 His death is under investigation by the Passaic County prosecutor
• 🏅 Berdnik was praised for his commitment to serving the community
• 😕 His death comes after recent jail layoffs and assault charges against officers
• ⏰ Berdnik had just come from honoring a restaurant owner before his death
• 📸 He took a photo with the owner before going to the bathroom and shooting himself
• 🙏 Officials are asking people not to judge and to keep Berdnik's family in their thoughts
• 💪 Berdnik served as sheriff since 2011 and leaves behind a legacy of service

Q & A

What position did Richard Berdnik hold before becoming sheriff?

Richard Berdnik was a 28-year veteran of the Clifton Police Department before becoming sheriff.

How did Richard Berdnik die?

Richard Berdnik died by suicide after shooting himself inside the bathroom of a Clifton restaurant.

What was Richard Berdnik doing before his death?

Richard Berdnik had just come from a ceremony in Patterson honoring a restaurant owner with a key to the city.

Who is investigating Richard Berdnik's death?

Richard Berdnik's death is being investigated by the Passaic County prosecutor's office.

What roles did Richard Berdnik serve in during his career?

Richard Berdnik served as an auxiliary police officer, park police officer, Clifton police officer for 28 years, graduated from the FBI National Academy, and served as Passaic County Sheriff since 2011.

How did local leaders react to Richard Berdnik's death?

Local leaders like Mayor Hector Lora and Attorney General Matt Platkin expressed shock, devastation, and grief over Richard Berdnik's sudden death.

What recent issues was the Sheriff's department facing?

The department was facing layoffs of corrections officers after the county jail closed, and some officers were charged with beating an inmate.

What is Mayor Hector Lora asking people to do?

Mayor Hector Lora is asking people to hold off judgment and keep Richard Berdnik's family in their thoughts.

What do Richard Berdnik's colleagues say about him?

His colleagues describe him as an exemplary law enforcement leader, a cherished friend, and someone who dedicated his life to serving Passaic County residents.

How long did Richard Berdnik serve as Passaic County Sheriff?

Richard Berdnik served as Passaic County Sheriff for about 12 years, from 2011 until his death in 2024.

Outlines

00:00

😥 Longtime New Jersey Sheriff Dies by Suicide

Paragraph 1 details the tragic death by suicide of longtime Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik, who fatally shot himself inside a Clifton restaurant bathroom. It describes Berdnik's distinguished law enforcement career, shock and grief of friends and colleagues, and the investigation into his death.

😞 Community Mourns the Loss of a Dedicated Public Servant

Paragraph 2 conveys the grief and confusion of Berdnik's friends and colleagues, who remember him as a loving family man and committed public servant. It highlights his lifetime of service to local communities and law enforcement.

😔 Unanswered Questions Remain About Sheriff's Passing

Paragraph 3 notes that many unanswered questions remain about the circumstances and reasons behind Berdnik's death. It provides details about his actions and demeanor shortly before the incident.

😞 Law Enforcement Leaders Pay Tribute to Berdnik's Legacy

Paragraph 4 compiles tributes and remembrances of Berdnik from various law enforcement leaders and officials, praising his exemplary service and sacrifice. They express deep sadness at the community's tragic loss.

😟 Neighbors React in Disbelief to the Tragedy Nearby

Paragraph 5 conveys reactions from nearby residents who are shocked that such a tragedy occurred so close to their homes. They acknowledge the loss of life as saddening regardless of circumstances.

😔 Sheriff's Death Follows Recent Controversies

Paragraph 6 notes Berdnik's death came shortly after recent controversies, including jail layoffs and federal charges against officers. But officials ask the public not to rush to judgment and to focus on his family.

😞 A Committed Public Servant, Greatly Missed

Paragraph 7 summarizes Berdnik's long and accomplished law enforcement career in Passaic County. It ends by conveying that his friends say he will be deeply missed.

Keywords

💡Sheriff

Sheriff Richard Berdnik was the longtime Sheriff of Passaic County who died by suicide inside a restaurant bathroom. As the county's chief law enforcement officer, his shocking and unexpected death sent "shock waves throughout the state" and deeply impacted the community.

💡Suicide

Sheriff Berdnik fatally shot himself inside the bathroom of a restaurant, dying by suicide. His tragic death left friends, family and colleagues devastated and searching for answers.

💡Investigation

The circumstances around Sheriff Berdnik's death are being investigated by the Passaic County prosecutor's office to determine what happened.

💡Career

Sheriff Berdnik had a long, distinguished law enforcement career, serving 28 years with the Clifton Police Department and 7 years as Passaic County Sheriff.

💡Community

Many officials and community members mourn Berdnik's death and praise his commitment to serving the Passaic County community throughout his career.

💡Shock

Berdnik's death by suicide shocked the community as he showed no outward signs of distress and was still dedicated to his duties, intensifying the grief and questions.

💡Legacy

Even amidst the painful loss, Berdnik leaves a profound legacy of service and sacrifice from his decades in law enforcement.

💡Faith

Sheriff Berdnik was a deeply faithful man, with his Christian beliefs shaping his drive to serve others in law enforcement.

💡Family

Berdnik leaves behind grieving loved ones - his wife, four children, grandchildren, and law enforcement colleagues considered family.

💡Unfathomable

Elected officials describe his passing as an "unfathomable loss," underscoring the immense grief and unanswered questions from his shocking death.

Highlights

Sheriff Richard Berdnik fatally shot himself in a Clifton restaurant bathroom

Berdnik was a 28-year veteran of the Clifton Police Department and a husband and father of four

Berdnik's death is shocking colleagues who say he loved his job, family and faith

Berdnik had a distinguished law enforcement career, leading the Clifton Police and serving as Passaic County Sheriff

Friends remember Berdnik as a loving father and man of deep faith and conviction

Berdnik was still committed to his duties, with a meeting scheduled the day of his death

Berdnik's death comes after recent jail shutdowns and DOJ charges against officers

Officials urge withholding judgment and keeping Berdnik's family in thoughts

Neighbors are shocked at Berdnik's death happening so close to home

Berdnik began as a volunteer officer before 28 year career with Clifton Police

Friends knew Berdnik as a gentleman and are shocked at his death

Berdnik served as Passaic County Sheriff since 2011

Officials and colleagues say Berdnik will be truly missed

Berdnik's passing comes days after announcing corrections officer layoffs

Authorities have yet to confirm details of the investigation into Berdnik's death

Transcripts

we begin with a stunning tragedy out of pic  County where longtime Sheriff Richard Berdnik

fatally shot himself Tuesday afternoon inside  the bathroom of a Clifton restaurant according  

to County officials berdnick had just come from  a ceremony in Patterson honoring the restaurant  

owner with a key to the city friends family  and colleagues say they're heartbroken and  

searching for answers to his death which  is under investigation by the Passaic County

prosecutor's office prior to becoming sheriff  in 2011 berdnick led a distinguished career the  

lifelong Clifton Resident was a 28-year veteran  of the city's Police Department a graduate of the  

FBI National Academy a husband and father of  four as Melissa Rose Cooper reports bernick's  

death is sending shock waves throughout the state  obviously our county is devastated and shocked  

this is something that no one in our area would  have expected Passaic Mayor Hector Lora still  

can't believe he won't have the chance again to  speak with his longtime friend and colleague pic  

County Sheriff Richard berdnick berdnick died  by suicide yesterday after law enforcement say  

he shot himself inside the bathroom of Toro's  restaurant in his hometown of Clifton his death  

now leaving those who knew and loved him with more  questions than answers apparently took a picture  

right before going in it's on social media with  the owner of the establisher one of the owners  

this was very much like the sheriff if you came  up and asked him for a picture he would take one  

with you the sheriff was an amazingly loving  father a proud grandfather a person of deep  

faith and conviction this is someone that by all  accounts and appearances was uh in love with his  

position his family his life his faith he let his  faith drive him to serve others today friends and  

colleagues are remembering burden commitment to  serving the community prior to becoming Sheriff  

he served in the Clifton police force for 28  years Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh calling him an  

exemplary law enforcement leader and a cherished  friend attorney general Matt Platkin saying Bernick  

dedicated his life to serving the residents  of Passaic County and its municipalities after  

retiring from the Clifton Police Department he  continued his his service as Passaic County Sheriff. This is  

an unfathomable loss for New Jersey and Senator  Cory Booker saying he leaves behind a legacy of  

sacrifice and service his passing is a terrible  loss to the county and states he served for so  

many years my thought so with his loved ones in  this time of grief this is an individual that  

began his career in Passaic, New Jersey right here in  this city as an auxiliary police officer volunteer  

and he also was a volunteer Park police officer  then he went to be a Clifton police officer he  

was a volunteer here in 1978 in the 80s and Beyond  he was a Clifton police officer for about 28 years  

and he graduated from the FBI Academy after that  he became a Passaic County sheriff and the coordinator  

for the office of emergency management he had a  meeting scheduled today with our OEM coordinator  

and the coordinators from around the county so  every indication shows that this is an individual  

that was still committed to his position his uh  his commitment to serve uh the community I feel  

for his family and his children his family  in uniform as well his family of friends all  

those who knew him knew him as a as a real  gentleman and neighbors who live near this  

restaurant say they still can't believe something  like this happened so close to home what say man  

nobody lost a life is not good in any capacity  you mean it's not regardless of what you feel  

or how you feel about that person or what his job  was. Bernick's passing comes days after announcing  

plans to lay off nearly 30 Corrections Officers  after the county jail shut down and after the US  

Department of Justice charged three officers with  beating an inmate authorities have yet to confirm  

any details of the investigation but Laura is  asking people to hold off judgment and keep  

bernick's family in their thoughts berdnick  served as Passaic County Sheriff since 2011  

his friends and colleagues say he'll be truly  missed for NJ Spotlight news I'm Melissa Rose

Cooper