New Jersey has lost another member of the law enforcement community to COVID-19.
Union City Police Officer Alex Ruperto lived in Glen Ridge but grew up in Union City. He was an original member of the Union City Emergency Services Unit.
The Union City Police Department escorted Ruperto’s body in a procession Friday morning. The Union City police chief called Ruperto kind, patient, soft-spoken and genuine. The 52-year-old leaves behind two adult children.
The Union City Police Department has suffered much loss in recent years. Three off-duty police officers died in 2017 – one to a medical-related issue and two others in car accidents.
Ruperto is the sixth New Jersey police officer to die from COVID-19.