Funeral services announced for Roxbury Lt. Joseph Franklin

Funeral services have been announced for retired Roxbury police Lt. Joseph Franklin, who succumbed Wednesday to injuries he suffered in a bicycle accident on the first day of this week's Police Unity Tour.

Jennifer Dillard, a spokesperson for the Roxbury Police Department said Thursday that services for Franklin are planned for next week in Lincoln Park.

"First and foremost, we would like to thank everyone on behalf of the family for the kind words and support you have all shown for Retired Lt. Joseph Franklin," Dillard said in a statement. "The amount of compassion demonstrated these past few days has been truly amazing."

Dillard said a viewing for Franklin will take place May 16 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Keri Memorial Funeral Home, 125 Main St. in Lincoln Park. The funeral service will be May 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, 216 Comly Road, also in Lincoln Park.

Franklin will be buried at Gate of Heaven cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave. in East Hanover.

According to NJ Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick Colligan, Franklin had been involved in a dozen-bicyclist pileup and suffered severe head injuries Monday, the first day of the Unity Tour.

Franklin served 25 years on the Roxbury Police Department, where he began his career as a patrolman on March 24, 1982, according to Police Chief Marc Palanchi, who spoke with Franklin at the starting line of the Unity Tour. The chief said Franklin rose through the ranks of the department, serving as a patrolman, traffic officer, patrol sergeant, traffic sergeant, patrol lieutenant, traffic lieutenant and community services lieutenant during his career, the police chief said in a statement.

In addition to his patrol and leadership duties, the chief said Franklin also dedicated his time to the department in other capacities, most notably with the establishment of Police Explorer Post 2188 in 1991.

“He gave his time, energy and provided leadership and guidance to young people effortlessly,” Palanchi said.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.