New Jersey State Trooper Marcellus Bethea died while in training for the elite TEAMS unit at NJ State Police headquarters in Ewing. As of now, a cause of death has not been reveled but Major Michael Krzyzkowski, says training for the unit can be intense. NBC10’s Yukare Nakayama has more.
A New Jersey State Trooper died during training, state police and Gov. Phil Murphy announced Sunday night.
Trooper II Marcellus E. Bethea served with the New Jersey State Police for over eight years and was a member of the 156th State Police Class.
Trooper Bethea died during training at the New Jersey State Police headquarters in Ewing, Mercer County. He was training for the TEAMS Unit, officials said.
Get Philly local news, weather forecasts, sports and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia newsletters.
"His commitment and passion for serving the citizens of New Jersey exemplified Honor, Duty, and Fidelity," state police said in a news release. "Please keep Trooper Bethea and his family in your prayers."
The TEAMS unit is "a full time emergency response unit prepared to handle extra ordinary police emergencies," according to the New Jersey State Police website. "Members are selected based on written resume, physical agility test, background investigation, oral interview, and the successful completion of the physically and mentally demanding underwater recovery course."
"This evening our hearts are heavy as we mourn the devastating loss of Trooper II Marcellus E. Bethea, a dedicated member of New Jersey State Police Troop D who was training to join the elite TEAMS Unit,” Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
“We owe Trooper Bethea our deepest gratitude and can honor his memory by living our lives with his same reverence for Honor, Duty, and Fidelity,” Platkin said.
“Trooper Bethea showed a passion and spark for service from a young age, participating in New Jersey State Police Trooper Youth Week while a student at Burlington Regional High School, and later graduating from the State Police Academy as part of the 156th class. He embodied Honor, Duty, and Fidelity in its highest form every day and in everything he did,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.
Officials did not immediately say how Bethea died.
An investigation into Trooper Bethea’s death was underway, Murphy said.
State police said details regarding his viewing and funeral arrangement would be forthcoming.
Correction May 6, 2024,6:04 a.m.: This story has been updated to reflect that Bethea died while training in Mercer County.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox.
