Incident
Police Officer Sean Peek died several hours after attempting to rescue a suspect who jumped into the Cohansey River near the Washington Street Bridge at about 1:30 am.
He and other officers had responded to the Bridgeton Fire Department EMT satellite station at 15 Mayor Aitken Drive after a woman was observed damaging an ambulance. Officer Peek observed the suspect run into the woods near the bridge and then either fall or jump into the river. Officer Peek entered the river in an attempt to rescue the woman but became distressed due to his equipment. The woman was able to swim to the opposite side of the river while other officers assisted Officer Peek out of the water.
Other officers took the woman into custody on the opposite side of the river. She was subsequently charged with several counts of burglarizing city facilities and destruction of property.
Officer Peek was treated at a local hospital and released to go home where he passed away a short time later.
Officer Peek had served with the Bridgeton Police Department for 15 years.
Peak, I think of you often and always of our time together. Can’t believe it’s been a year already. Rest easy as many eyes are watching over your family. Please continue to watch over us. Miss you bro…
Agent Villar Former Bridgeton PD September 6th, 2021
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Peek gave the Bridgeton Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bridgeton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Peek.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Sean C. Peek is one of 2,974 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.1% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NJ, 77 of 646 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 11.9% of this state's fallen. That is 2.8 percentage points above the national rate of 9.1%.
National Cause Distribution
How Illness compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sean C. Peek's cause is highlighted.
How Sean C. Peek Compares
When Illness Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Illness deaths across the full memorial record. Sean C. Peek is highlighted in Sep.