Captain Joseph William Goertz

Captain Joseph William Goertz | Lakewood Police Department, New Jersey Captain Joseph William Goertz | Lakewood Police Department, New Jersey
Lakewood Police Department, New Jersey
Captain Joseph William Goertz | Lakewood Police Department, New Jersey
Captain Joseph William Goertz | Lakewood Police Department, New Jersey
Captain Joseph William Goertz

Lakewood Police Department, New Jersey

End of Watch Sunday, October 31, 2021

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Joseph William Goertz

Captain Joe Goertz died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Captain Goertz had served with the Lakewood Police Department for 23 years. he is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, mother, two sisters, and a brother.

The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.

Bio

  • Age 60
  • Tour 23 years
  • Badge 251

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Not available

communicable disease, COVID-19

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Most Recent Reflection

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Most merciful God, You hold each of us dear to Your heart. Hold all America’s Peace Officers and their families, who are afflicted or affected by the COVID-19 Virus, in Your loving arms and tenderly draw them into Your life, together with all others who are living with the COVID-19 Virus. Assure them that they are not alone, and give them courage and faith for all that is to come. Strengthen those who care for them and treat them, and guide those who do research. Nourish those who have lost sight of You, and heal the spirits of those who are broken. We pray this in the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, who suffered and died, and then rose from the dead to lead us into new life, now and forever. In Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [children] of God.” [Matthew 5:9 ESV]

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” [Psalm 23:4 ESV]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, FCPO-USA
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

June 13, 2023

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