Police departments in both Bedminster and Paterson are mourning the loss of officers who have died from the coronavirus.

Bedminster Patrol Sgt. AlTerek Patterson, who began his career back in 2006, died of COVID-19 early Sunday morning.

Fellow officers remember Patterson as always having a smile on his face, and touching the lives of many residents at their time of need. Despite his diagnosis, officials say his death was unexpected.

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In Paterson, 34-year-old Police Officer Francesco Scorpo died of the virus.

Scorpo was a member of the traffic division and lived in Montville. He joined the Paterson police force in 2015.

Scorpo is the first Paterson city employee to die of the virus.

In a statement, Mayor Andre Sayegh said, “He was an exemplary police officer and the consummate professional. I always enjoyed seeing him in action. My sympathetic sorrow goes out to his family."

He leaves behind a wife and two young children.