Longtime Berkeley Officer, Marine Passes Away

James Britton Jr. spent life serving his community and country. He was a Berkeley police officer for 25 years and a former Marine. The Berkeley Township Police Department announced Sunday night that Britton passed away.

Britton retired from police work in 2013 after 25 years of service. The former sergeant served as head of the Traffic Safety Bureau and Patrol Division supervisor.

"He will forever be remembered for his love of animals and of course for his sense of humor which was second to none and which always managed put a smile on someones face at just the right time," the BTPD posted on their Facebook page.

Britton's family has deep ties to the BTPD. His father, uncle, brother and cousins all served in the department, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

His father, James Britton Sr., was a lieutenant. His uncle, Samuel Britton Sr., became Berkeley's first police chief in 1954. Samuel Britton died Nov. 3 at age 90.

"He will be missed by all, especially those that had the honor of knowing him, those who had the pleasure of working with him and of course those that had the privilege of just being around him," the BTPD said of James Britton Jr.