SAN JOSE (KCBS) — The cause of death of a former San Jose police officer who passed away in March has been confirmed as "fentanyl toxicity."
De'Jon Packer, 24, was found unresponsive at his home on March 13. The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office confirmed Sunday that he had died from a fentanyl overdose.
"It's been destroying families and it's a secret drug that kind of sneaks in where you don't expect it to go," Packer's uncle Roy Packer told KCBS Radio.
The young police officer's death has been a hard hit for his family. "It's a little cliché, everybody when someone passes they always act like they're a mystery," his uncle said. "He was just a nice young man who played sports and then got a career that helped his community that he grew up in."
Packer was at a party with fellow police officers the night before he died. San Jose police have issued a statement declaring the department is not immune to issues that plague society including substance abuse, but added that they don't condone the behavior.
"Any allegation of illegal drug use by a San Jose Police Officer is concerning," Police Chief Anthony Mata said. "There are no free passes for police officers, and we will not make excuses."
Before joining the police department, the Packer attended Gunderson High School and San Jose State University where he was a star running back.
"My heart breaks for the family and many friends of San Jose Police Department officer De'Jon Packer," San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo wrote in a statement. "We remember him for his courageous commitment to our city."
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