PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A New Jersey state trooper died during training for an elite emergency response unit, New Jersey State Police said.
Trooper Marcellus Bethea served with the police force for more than eight years. He was a member of the Troop D Moorestown Station.
Officials said Bethea died during training at NJSP headquarters in Ewing Township. He was training for the elite Technical Emergency and Mission Specialist (TEAMS) Unit, a full-time response unit that handles emergencies like hostage situations, counter-terrorism operations and underwater recoveries.
Officials did not disclose how Bethea died.
Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement on X, saying Bethea "showed a passion and spark for service from a young age, participating in New Jersey State Police Trooper Youth Week while a student at Burlington Regional High School and later graduating from the State Police Academy as part of the 156th class."
The governor said an investigation into his death is underway.
Funeral arrangements are pending.





