Morris County Freeholders Offer Condolences on Death of State Police Recruit

Posted Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020

The Morris County Board of Freeholders issued the following statement today on the passing of New Jersey State Police Recruit Lucas C. Homeijer of Boonton.

“Our hearts go out to the Homeijer family and the entire community of Boonton on the tragic loss of Lucas Homeijer. The passing of this young, vibrant State Police recruit is deeply saddening as well as untimely.  To his parents, Don and Denise, we mourn with you. To the family and all of Boonton, you are all in our prayers.”

Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, Col. Patrick Callahan, announced earlier today that Mr. Homeijer succumbed to injuries he suffered last week, Nov. 25, during training at the New State Police academy in Sea Girt Borough. He was engaged in an active countermeasures/boxing bout with a fellow classmate when he lost consciousness, and he had been hospitalized ever since, according to the State Police.

He was a member of the 161st New Jersey State Police Academy Class, and was praised by Callahan for a life of service, despite his youth. Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, who were both State Troopers, Mr. Homeijer was an Eagle Scout and one of the few to attend and complete “Trooper Youth Week” at 17 years old before joining the 161st recruit class.

“A pretty rare accomplishment,” Col. Callahan told media.

He called Homeijer’s death “one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to go through personally as a Trooper and as a dad, too.”

The circumstances surrounding the death are under review.