Newark Mourns For 2 Police Officers Who Died In The Same Week

NEWARK, NJ — The City of Newark is mourning the deaths of two of its police officers, who passed away within a week of each other.

The Newark Department of Public Safety issued statements about each officer this week.

RAFAEL RAMOS JR.

Newark Police Sergeant Rafael Ramos Jr., 59, died on Jan. 16 following an illness.

According to city officials:

“Sergeant Rafael Ramos, Jr., who remained on active duty until his passing, joined the Newark Police Division on February 4, 1991, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2022. His initial assignment was as a patrol officer in the West Ward. He later served as a liaison at the U.S. Marshal Service and successfully fulfilled various assignments at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Precincts, the Fugitive Apprehension Team, the Office of Professional Standards, and the Crime Scene Unit, where he fulfilled his final assignment.”

“Sergeant Ramos faithfully served the City of Newark for the past 33 years,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

“That impressive length of service reflects a lifetime of dedication to the people of the City of Newark,” Baraka added. “We extend our most heartfelt prayers to the family and colleagues of Sergeant Ramos, and offer this devoted and invaluable public servant our unyielding gratitude.”

KENNETH BROWN

Newark Police Sergeant Kenneth T. Brown, 53, passed away suddenly on Jan. 21.

According to city officials:

“Sergeant Kenneth Brown began his career with the Newark Police Division on May 19, 1997. He served in several law enforcement units, beginning in the West Ward and including the Safe City Task Force, the Emergency Services Unit (ESU), and assignments at the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Precincts before being promoted to the rank of sergeant in January 2019. In 2020, Sergeant Brown returned to ESU, where he faithfully completed his final assignment on behalf of the Newark Police Division.”

“The untimely passing of Sergeant Kenneth Brown is felt by every member of the Newark Police Division,” Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said.

“He will forever remain in our hearts as an exemplary police supervisor who consistently offered the highest caliber of service, both to his colleagues and to the people of Newark,” Fragé added. “Sergeant Brown exceeded our best standards through his impeccable work ethic and uncompromising professionalism. He will be deeply missed.”

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