A Gloucester Township police officer is under arrest, accused of buying pain killers from a confidential informant.
Officer Tom Eden, Jr. was arrested on Tuesday after he walked out of a room at the Howard Johnson's motel on the Black Horse Pike in his township. Eden had just bought Percocet and Oxycotin placebo pills, according to Police Chief Harry Earle.
Eden, 31, was on duty at the time, wearing his patrol uniform and driving a marked police car.
"I am angered -- that Mr. Eden allegedly abused his position of trust by violating the very laws he swore to uphold and defend," Chief Earle said in his press release. "These actions are clearly not consistent with the ethical and moral standards of the Gloucester Township Police Department and will never be tolerated."
Eden is charged with drug possession, a weapons charge and intent to distribute. He was suspended without pay with intent to dismiss. Eden had been with the force seven years.
Police began investigating Eden after a citizen tipped them off.
Chief Earle urged parents to use the arrest as a teaching moment and "let this serve as a reminder, or 3even and education to many of the dangers of substance abuse, and that such temptations can strike anyone."
