Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at a restaurant in northern New Jersey Tuesday, three law enforcement sources familiar with the matter said.
The incident took place around 3:30 p.m. inside Toros restaurant located on Hazel Street in Clifton, the sources said. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh later confirmed Berdnik's death inside the basement bathroom. It's unclear how many other patrons and workers were inside at the time, and the restaurant was closed to assist in the investigation.
Mayor Sayegh said he was at the restaurant earlier Tuesday to present the key to the city to Toros' owner for donating meals to the hospital during the pandemic. Berdnik wasn't in attendance but the mayor said he did see the sheriff the day before when they swore in eight new police officers.
"My last words to him were, 'Sheriff, get in the picture with us. Get in the picture,'" the mayor said.
The respect and affection for Sheriff Berdnik were evident among public officials and those he closely worked with. Officers lined up outside the restaurant and saluted as an ambulance carried their fallen leader away.
"He was having lunch here with no problem then all of the sudden this is happening. I came here because I couldn't believe it," Council President of Paterson Alex Mendez told NBC New York outside the restaurant. "We not only lost a great sheriff, we lost a great friend, a phenomenal human being."
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"I look back at all our text messages between the two of us. I’ve known him for 14 years," Mayor Sayegh added. "He was an exemplary law enforcement leader and he was a cherished friend."
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New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also expressed his condolences in a statement, mourning the loss of the sheriff who has served state residents for more than four decades since his days as a Clifton police officer to five terms as sheriff.
"Tammy and I were blessed to have counted Sheriff Berdnik as a close friend. We will miss him — and his leadership — dearly. And we are sending our prayers and condolences to Sheriff Berdnik’s wife, Monica, their four adult children, and the entire team at the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office," Murphy said.
Berdnik's death comes a week after the Bergen Record reported that he sent a memo to his department, noting a difficult time in the agency and the need to lay off 29 jail corrections officers. Three corrections officers were also charged last week in an alleged beating of a pre-trial detainee at the Passaic County Jail.
The investigation into Berdnik's death is ongoing.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
