Every day was an adventure for Krista Richter-DeLisa and her fiancee, Deal Police Capt. Earl Alexander. From NASCAR to line dancing, the couple shared everything including a zest for life.

For four years, the Monmouth County couple was inseparable. On Christmas Eve, when Earl asked Krista to be his wife, they looked forward to spending the rest of their lives together. But tragically, their plans came to a screeching halt on Jan. 2, when Earl was killed in a one-car crash in Monmouth County.

As countless friends, family and coworkers prepare to lay the police captain to rest Friday, Krista's mind is flooded with memories of her fiancee, whom she describes as "a true leader."

Deal Police Capt. Earl Alexander
Deal Police Capt. Earl Alexander (Deal Police)
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"He was loved by everybody and he loved his kids more than anything in the world. And he just loved to live life," she said.

According to Ocean Township Police, the 38-year-old police captain died in a one-car early Saturday morning when he lost control of his Acura on Route 71 and hit a utility pole. Additional information about the circumstances surrounding the crash has not yet been released.

Krista remembers the first time she met the love of her life. His outgoing personality and sense of humor won her over quickly and before long, they were inseparable.

"He was just so much fun. He laughed all the time and he made me laugh all the time. We had a connection and it was just us. We always had each other's backs. Everybody knew 'Krista and Earl.' We did everything together," she said.

A huge NASCAR fan, Earl would often take Krista to races. When the weather was warm they went camping whenever they could, and he was also an avid country music lover and line dancer.

"Let me tell you, that man could move. Every day was an adventure," said Krista, who, like Earl also worked as a firefighter. She said they shared everything with each other—- every detail of their lives, and they took pictures to preserve their memories. "I have thousands of pictures of everything we did."

In fact, every year Earl — a hopeless romantic — would make a book for Krista documenting their previous year together, complete with stories and pictures.

"He was so romantic and he didn’t care who knew it," she said. "He wanted his kids to know what love was."

In addition to their adventures together, Krista said she and Earl also enjoyed spending time with Earl's two young children - who were actually part of the police captain's Christmas Eve marriage proposal. They were a family that Krista describes as "just perfect."

Earl started his career with the Deal Police Department as a dispatcher. Over the years, he worked his way up the ranks, all the while taking every opportunity to gain additional education and certifications. Krista proudly brags that his resume was 16 pages long. She described her fiancee as someone dedicated to her, his children and his career.

“He was a very hard-working and he put himself 110 percent into everything that he did and he loved his job. He always wanted to learn more," she said.

In addition to police work, Earl was also the assistant chief of the Deal Fire Co. #2, where he served for more than 20 years. He was also the past chief of the Oakhurst Fire Dept. and a volunteer with both First Aid Squads.

When she looks back at the years they spent together, Krista tearfully recalls her late fiancee's sense of humor and how he would stop at nothing to make others happy.

"He made everybody laugh. He found the positive in everything," she said. "He has made me an all around better person. I’ve had a lot of loss and tragedy in my life, and he took care of me."

A viewing for police captain will take place at the Buckley Funeral Home, 502 Second Ave. in Asbury Park on Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. His funeral is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 705 Second Ave. in Asbury Park. In lieu of flowers please remit donations to the "Taylor and Earl V Education Fund" 36 Whalepond Road, Oakhurst NJ 07755.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

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