'Morton Treated All Of Us Like Family': GoFundMe For JC Officer

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Jersey City's police community is still reeling over the sudden loss of Officer Morton Otundo — the off-duty officer who died in a crash on Friday while riding his motorcycle.

Otundo got into a crash with a car early Friday morning while off-duty, at the intersection of Communipaw Avenue and Woodward Street. He was a nearly 10-year veteran of the Jersey City Police Department, graduating in 2013 as his class president from the police academy.

On Friday and throughout the weekend, condolence posts and tributes flooded social media. City council candidate Chris Gadsden offered condolences alongside Otundo's photo, writing "Prayers of strength to the Jersey City Police Department as we mourn the loss of a servant and brother."

A GoFundMe campaign was started over the weekend to raise money for Otundo's son, Andrew. The campaign was started by Melange Ramirez and the money will go to the Jersey City Police Civic Association, to be put in a trust fund for Andrew.

The fundraiser describes Otundo as a passionate officer and caring man out of uniform:

"He strived to educate and mold younger officers to be great at every turn. Morton was a phenomenal cop who did his job efficiently and always made sure his coworkers were good on the streets regardless of anything else."

The campaign has a goal of $100,000 and, as of Monday morning, raised $62,375.

"Outside of uniform, Morton was an amazing friend, son, brother and above all, a loving father to his young son, Andrew. Morton treated all of us like family and we want to be there as such now, more than ever, for Andrew, who will be left without his father’s infectious smile, deep rumbling wisdom and witty personality for the rest of his life. Morton’s energy was absolutely one of a kind and we will forever miss him. "

The Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and Jersey City Police Department are investigating the crash, no charges have been filed.