Police Officer Sean Peek

September 6, 2020

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 the 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 came 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.