Covid-19: Possible Outbreak Among Lakewood Police Linked To Funeral Of 23-Year-Old Officer

Several Lakewood police officers are self-quarantining after attending a fellow officer's funeral where they came in contact with a case of coronavirus, authorities said.

Jon Craig

09/16/2020 9:58 a.m.

The department learned of the positive test late Monday afternoon and has asked officers to quarantine as a precaution, a spokesman for Lakewood Police told NJ Advance Media.

Lakewood Police Captain Gregory Staffordsmith said that none of the quarantined officers have tested positive, and that they will continue to be monitored.

Officer Nicklas Shimonovich, 23, died in an off-duty motorcycle crash in his hometown of Jackson Sept. 5.

Shimonovich's funeral was held on Friday Sept. 11 at FirstEnergy Park, home stadium for the Lakewood BlueClaws minor league baseball team. Hundreds of people attended the funeral.

Staffordsmith told NJ.com that protective masks were available for all who attended the funeral and everyone was asked to maintain social distancing.

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