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“Words alone cannot express the extreme sadness we feel,” TCF officials wrote this morning. “Brian was a true angel…always raising extra donations from his team, the Bergen County Sheriff’s [Office], and making personal donations for our patients.
“Whenever Brian visited TCF, he always spoke so proudly and lovingly about his beautiful daughters and his wife, Tamika. Our hearts go out to the Beutel Family.”
The athletic and gregarious lieutenant’s five daughters range in age from 11 to 19 years old.
“It’s a tremendous loss to his family, a tremendous loss to us, to law enforcement and to society in general,” Sheriff Michael Saudino told CLIFFVIEW PILOT as he headed back to the Bergen County Jail to address the Thursday midnight shift lineup — a task ordinarily handled by Beutel, 47, of Westwood.
“He was a great guy, a caring and giving family man and officer,” the sheriff said. “We’re going to do all we can for them.”
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A DAUGHTER WRITES: My father was the most hardworking man I have ever met. His work ethic and diligence inspired me to be the young woman that I am today. READ MORE….
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A 15-year former New Jersey Corrections officer, Beutel (#1359) joined the BCSO in 2002 and was promoted to lieutenant two years ago.
Saudino’s office sponsored one of 16 teams from various North Jersey police departments who were participating in the Battle of the Blue last night at the Rothman Center to benefit the Tomorrows Children’s Fund (TCF), which helps children with cancer and serious blood disorders.
Other teams sponsored by their respective PBAs included the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and local police departments from Englewood, Fort Lee, Ho-Ho-Kus, Jersey City, North Bergen, West New York, Passaic and Paterson.
Lt. Brian Beutel
Participants initially thought Beutel was perhaps dehydrated when he collapsed.
Carol Tyler and her daughter, Christina, of the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Ambulance Corps rushed to him with a defibrillator, along with others who did all they could to help.
Beutel apparently had gone into cardiac arrest and died on the way to Hackensack University Medical Center, the sheriff said.
PHOTO TOP: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF
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“I can’t begin to tell you what a wonderful guy he was,” cousin ToniAnn Migliore of Westwood wrote. “Funny , loyal , strong, great dad, great husband — just a great man taken way too soon. His smile was wonderful.”
“He was very special to us and we will miss him,” added her mother, Donna Salamone. “A perfect father, husband, friend. The world will be missing a piece of it.”
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A BROTHER IN BLUE WRITES: Brother Brian Beutel was one of a kind, we started together in 2002. Many things I can say about him, but the thing I remember the most was the love he had for his job. He was always there, came in early and stayed late just to talk with everyone. READ MORE….
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Beutel was “true blue, a brother each and everyone could count on, a great leader and friend,” fellow officer Eddie Romero said.
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“He even treated inmates well and with respect, and they respected him,” added former colleague Michael Dealz.
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“He was a cop’s cop, truly down to earth — and there for the good of everybody,” added another former colleague, Michael Stinziano.
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BCSO Sgt. Roni Wildoner wrote:
“Lt. Beutel was a listener, a thinker and doer. If you needed him he was there. He put his family first and would do anything to make sure his daughters would be able to follow their dreams. He never missed their meets. He was always proud of them. He loved talking about them and their accomplishments.
“He was a hard worker for the department and at his part-time job. He had great stories, was funny and a team player until his last breath.
“He loved his dog, his car and the game of basketball.”
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“I remember a day about 26 years ago…the winter season was longer than usual and hung around into spring,” Chandara Sysounthone recalled. “But that didn’t stop us from playing basketball outside.
“We had shovels and a broom in our trunks. So we shoveled the whole court until the snow was gone and we proceeded to play,” Sysounthone said. “He died doing what he loved.”
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“Noble way to pass, raising money for children fighting cancer,” added Patrick Hennessy.
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“Rest in Peace, Lt. Beutel,” wrote the Park Ridge Police Department. “Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, and department.”
Add your remembrances, condolences and photos here: BCSO Lt. Brian Beutel TRIBUTE
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