CLIFTON, N.J. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik fatally shot himself in a restaurant bathroom Tuesday afternoon in an apparent suicide.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the shooting and has not confirmed Berdnik died by suicide. However, sources tell 1010 WINS the sheriff did in fact take his own life.
News of the longtime sheriff's sudden death shocked the county and state, with Gov. Phil Murphy saying in a statement he was “deeply saddened” by the loss, and that “Tammy and I were blessed to have counted Sheriff Berdnik as a close friend.”
Sen. Cory Booker said Berdnik “leaves behind a legacy of sacrifice and service.” “His passing is a terrible loss to the county and state he served for so many years.”
Witnesses said Berdnik was getting a late lunch at Toros, a popular Turkish restaurant in Clifton, as he often did. They saw him get up and go to the bathroom. A single gunshot was heard a short time later.
Passaic Mayor Hector Lora told 1010 WINS the area has been overcome by grief.
“I think to say we’re stunned is a huge understatement,” Lora said. “I believe the state as a whole and neighboring areas are in shock. There’s not a singular person that I can think of that expected or even dreamed something like this would occur.”
About four hours after the shooting, Berdnik’s body was taken from the restaurant by ambulance as first responders saluted nearby. He leaves behind a wife and four adult children.
“A father and a grandfather, a family man, someone who loved this nation and wanted to serve in this role—and gave it his all to do so—is no longer with us,” Lora said.
In a statement, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said he affectionately referred to Berdnik as “America’s sheriff.” “He was always offering assistance, and especially recently, with the flooding, he was offering to have rescue vehicles readily available for us.”
Berdnik served as a police officer in Clifton for many years before he became Passaic County sheriff in 2011. In his statement, Murphy said, “For more than four decades, Sheriff Berdnik courageously served the people of New Jersey — from his days as a police officer on the streets of Clifton to his five consecutive terms as the 49th Sheriff of Passaic County.”
“Every single day,” the governor continued, “Sheriff Berdnik earned the trust of his constituents in Passaic County, and worked exhaustively to combat criminal activity, modernize the operations of the Sheriff’s Office, and meet the high standard of service we expect from members of law enforcement.”