A driver who died in an early Sunday morning crash in Morris Countywas identified as a Millburn police officer, officials said.
Millburn police officer Luke Lyons died in the crash on the southbound side of Route 15 at 1:25 a.m. in the area of mile marker 3.5, Jefferson Police Capt. Robert Bush told NJ Advance Media.
Lyons, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lyons was a United States Marine Corps Veteran before joining the Picatinny Arsenal Police Department. He then went on to join the Millburn Police Department, authorities said.
Lyons was the lead instructor of the department’s drone unit, and an avid and active member of the Millburn PBA, Millburn Police Captain Mark Azzopardi said. He was with the department for four and a half years before he died.
“Luke was a kind, giving, gentle soul with a smile and laugh that would brighten your day,” Azzopardi said. “Luke was a leading force in the department. The untimely loss of Officer Lyons leaves a void in the hearts of his brothers and sisters in blue that time will never heal.”
Fellow officers expressed grief at the loss, as well.
“Yesterday, we lost a brother, father, husband, son and a great cop,” the Millburn PBA wrote Monday in Facebook post. “A tragic loss that will affect all of us for the rest of our lives. Please keep our brother and his family in your thoughts and prayers during these difficult times.”
The crash is still under investigation and Bush said there was no other information he could release Tuesday evening.
Anyone with information is asked to call Jefferson police officer Charles Paskas or Det. Timothy Hecht at 973-208-6154. They can be reached by email at cpaskas@jeffersonpolice.com or thecht@jeffersonpolice.com.
Azzopardi said donations are being collected for the Lyons family to be used for whatever needs they may have. In addition, a meal train has been set up to assist them.
Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.
Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
