'Universally Loved': Retired Morristown Police Sergeant Dies At 53

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A retired Morristown Police sergeant, whom colleagues say was "universally loved and admired," has died at the age of 53.

Brendan Thomas Briscoe was surrounded by his friends when he passed away on July 1, according to his obituary with Doyle Funeral Home. He was a Morristown native, and worked for the town police department for 25 years before retiring in 2023.

"He was a talented police officer, but an even better person and loving father," the Morristown Department of Public Safety said in a post Thursday.

Briscoe is survived by his mother Patricia, his three sisters and one niece, and his two children Annita and Braden Thomas, aka "the twinados" — who were described as his pride and joy.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles - Morristown 1311, the Knights of Columbus, and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. As the obituary states, Briscoe " is also survived by a loving Irish family here, in Ireland and in Australia."

During his career, the Morristown PBA Local 43 shared that Briscoe served in the patrol division (including on a bicycle) and as a detective before becoming a patrol sergeant, and taught a number of subjects at the Public Safety Training Academy in his free time.

"He did so with a smile," the PBA post said.

A wake is planned Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Morristown (4 Convent Road).

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Thomas More Church on Saturday, July 6, beginning at 10:30 a.m. For those unable to attend in person, there will be a livestream online.