Community Corner
Longtime Ocean County Sheriff's Officer Dies After ALS Battle
Detective Corporal Phil Sickinger, a 19-year veteran of the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, has died from ALS. He was 43.
TOMS RIVER, NJ — A longtime Ocean County officer has died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday.
Detective Corporal Phil Sickinger passed from the disease on Jan. 21. He was 43-years-old.
Sickinger was a 19-year veteran of the sheriff's office, only retiring due to his battle with ALS. He also was a member of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team for 15 years.
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The West Creek resident is survived by his wife of 14 years, Diana, and their two daughters, Olivia and Harper, according to Sickinger's obituary.
Sickinger was diagnosed with ALS in January of 2020.
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His death was met with an outpouring of condolences from local agencies, including the Ocean County Prosecutor's Department and police departments throughout the county.
"He will most certainly be missed," the prosecutor's department said. "Please keep the Sickinger family in your thoughts and prayers today."
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