Broken window 9 stories up: NJ sheriff’s officer falls to death

JERSEY CITY — The death of an on-duty Hudson County Sheriff's Officer is under investigation by the Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutor Esther Suarez said the officer was found outside the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City along Central Avenue around 9:30 a.m. The officer, identified as Justin Rivera,29, was taken to Jersey City Medical where he was pronounced dead. Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis on his X account said Rivera was a Bayonne resident.

A preliminary investigation has determined Rivera fell from the 9th floor. The officer's death appears to be accidental. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Regional Medical Examiner's Office.

An unrelated power outage occurred around the same time, according to Suarez.

“I would like to express my condolences to the family of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Officer who tragically passed away. My prayers also go out to the Hudson County Sheriff and all the Sheriff’s Officers, who lost a dedicated brother today," Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said in a written statement.

Published reports cite eyewitnesses to officer's death

CBS New York reported the officer fell out of a 9th-floor window but it was not clear what led to the fall. Witnesses told told CBS New York heard glass shatter and a body hit the ground. Police quickly came out to tend to the officer, they told CBS New York.

The New Jersey Courts website said operations at the Brennan Courthouse and the Hudson County Administration Building was closed due to the power outage.

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