Longtime Passaic County Sheriff Dies: 'A Leader And Mentor'

Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify obituary information.

PATERSON, NJ — Former Passaic County Sheriff Edwin Englehardt died Thursday. He was 93.

Englehardt served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War before becoming a Paterson police commissioner in 1965, and eventually, going on to become sheriff in 1974, according to his obituary.

“Sheriff Englehardt was a leader, and mentor to many officers even after his retirement in 2001,” the obituary said. “Everyone who was close to Sheriff Englehardt, knew of his loyalty, patriotism, and generous nature.”

A lifelong Paterson resident, Englehardt is survived by his nieces, nephews, and a number of other relatives and friends.

“Sheriff Berdnik and the entire Passaic County Sheriff’s Office extend our condolences to the Englehardt family during this difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post.

In lieu of flowers, Englehardt’s family has requested donations be made to the Passaic County Sheriffs Officers, PBA Local #286 (memo: for Passaic County Sheriff Canine Unit), PO Box 731, Woodland Park, New Jersey 07424, according to the obituary.

A funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John’s Cathedral, 381 Grand St., Paterson, with the family receiving friends and relatives starting at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa.