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Incident
Captain Joe Goertz died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Captain Goertz had served with the Lakewood Police Department for 23 years.
Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.
Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Captain Joseph William Goertz died on October 31, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 60.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
he is survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, mother, two sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr2aswjemw743x35bfpg- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Joseph is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Captain Goertz gave the Lakewood Police Department 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lakewood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Goertz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Lakewood Police Department has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Joseph is one of 77 officers lost to illness in NJ, 11.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 11 officers in NJ were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 24 years on record. The heaviest was 2020, with 20.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Joseph was 60. Of the 75 lost to illness in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 47 and 61.5; the middle age was 52. Joseph had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 23 years.
Joseph was 60. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Joseph had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Joseph was 60. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Joseph had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NJ; April holds the most, 16.9%. Sundays: 16.9%.
October holds 14.9% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14.2%.
October holds 12.6% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 13.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Lakewood Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 11.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Lakewood Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lakewood Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
