San José Police 'Devastated' After Officer Found Dead In Milpitas

MILPITAS, CA — Family and friends mourned a rookie San José police officer and former football star who was found dead at his Milpitas home.

The police department, family and friends mourned the death of DeJon Packer, 24, who died Sunday night.

"Our police family is devastated by the sudden loss of Officer DeJon Packer who passed away last night," the San José Police Department tweeted Monday evening.

Packer graduated the police academy last year and was "beloved by the San José community," the police department said. He was also a celebrated former football player at San José State University.

The circumstances of Packer's death are under investigation by the county medical examiner and Milpitas police. Reports that Packer's death was homicide related are false, police noted.

"Please keep DeJon and his family in your prayers," the police department said.

A San José native, Packer attended Gunderson High School and went on to play football at San José State University. In three years at the university, Packer rushed for over 900 yards and scored 13 rushing touchdowns. He added 330 yards and a pair of touchdowns receiving.

Tributes poured in for Packer following news of his death. Those who knew him described him as a football star who served his community.

Alonzo Carter, who worked with Packer as his running back coach, told KTVU that Packer was a friend to everyone.

"He influenced my career because he went the hard way," Carter said. "Going from San José City College, he was a walk-on player, he worked a full time job came and earned a scholarship here and graduated with honors and left as a starting running back."

The San José State University football team called Packer forever a Spartan.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of DeJon Packer," the team said. "The San José State Football family has suffered a great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with DeJon’s family & friends."

"Everybody is heartbroken for Pack, for his family and for our football family here because he had a tremendous impact on everyone he met,"Brent Brennan, the university's head football coach, said, according to KGO-TV.

He described Packer as a shining, bright light.

"He just had crazy energy and a big smile and he just brought joy to everybody he came in contact with," Brennan told KTVU-TV.

"Last Night Heaven gained an Angel," one person wrote in a Facebook post.

Sam Liccardo, mayor of San José, said his heart breaks for Packer's family and many friends.

"We remember him for his courageous commitment to our city," Liccardo said.

Chappie Jones, vice mayor of San José District 1, said his heart aches for Packer's friends and family.

"He will always be remembered for his unwavering dedication to serve his community," Jones said.

A woman who identified herself as Packer's nephew said her heart was forever broken.

"With great sadness and a heavy heart my deepest deepest condolences to my sister Sonya and my bro Celeste and my grandparents of the passing of my nephew DeJon Packer," she wrote in a Facebook post. "Nephew I can’t I miss you so much already.. my forever broken heart.. RIP Nephew."