‘Even-tempered’ New Jersey sheriff shoots himself dead in bathroom of busy restaurant just minutes after smiling in photo with friends

Tributes have poured in for an aging New Jersey sheriff who fatally shot himself in the bathroom of a busy restaurant.

Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik, a well-known figure in the community who served nearly three decades in law enforcement, left the town of Clifton, New Jersey, on Tuesday, reeling from his suicide.

“Rich always had a relaxed demeanor, truly cared about law enforcement, but at the same time was kind and caring,” former Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark told NorthJersey.com.

“He was so even-tempered. I think this makes it even harder to understand.”

The father of four’s sudden death comes after a turbulent week in his department, where he was forced to fire 29 corrections officers after being returned to the provincial jail.

Witnesses said Berdnik slipped into the bathroom Tuesday around 3:30 p.m. before restaurant patrons were startled by a gunshot

Berdnik, who was also a parishioner and Eucharistic minister, is survived by his wife Monica and their four adult children

A huge police presence, including two helicopters, was quickly deployed to Toros Turkish restaurant after the tragic episode unfolded shortly after 3.30pm.

Witnesses reportedly said Berdnik went to the bathroom before people in the restaurant were startled by a gunshot.

Just before he shot himself, Berdnik posed for a photo with one of the restaurant’s owners.

He smiled as he stood next to Huseyin Bayram, who was awarded the key to the city of Paterson, New Jersey earlier that day for his efforts during the pandemic by Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh.

The father had served as county sheriff since 2011 and was most recently re-elected in November 2022 for a fifth three-year term.

He joined the Clifton Police Department in 1982 and his storied career began by investigating a theft from a construction site. One of his latest involved the stabbing of a teenager.

In between, he reportedly saved three people from a burning building in 1991, and heroically apprehended an armed robber in 2003.

Images throughout his career show a smiling Berdnik playing a central role in his community, mingling with residents and giving speeches at parades.

But after his unexpected suicide, locals say they don’t believe it.

‘We never really know how people feel inside, what is going on and what could have a tragic impact on them. It puts everything into perspective and shows that we need to be kind and care for each other even more,” Kazmark said.

“We have lost a great sheriff and a very good man.”

Just before he shot himself, Berdnik posed for a smiling photo with one of the Turkish restaurant’s owners. The owner had been given the keys to the city of Paterson, New Jersey earlier that day for his efforts during the pandemic

Sheriff Berdnik photographed his sheriff’s election victory in 2010

Berdnik, who was also a parishioner and Eucharistic minister, is survived by his wife Monica and their four adult children.

His suicide came at a turbulent time for his department, where a month before his death, three of his sheriff’s officers had been arrested by the FBI after allegedly beating an inmate at the county jail in January 2021, in revenge for assaulting another guard had been splashed with firearms. urine.

The Thursday before his death, Berdnik had talked about his sadness at having no choice but to fire 29 corrections officers at the same county jail.

The sheriff issued a memo indicating that a reduction in the county jail was forcing his hand, saying, “I am acutely aware that there is a great deal of confusion and stress within our agency during this very difficult time.”

“I have made every effort to find employment for all affected employees, but unfortunately at this time we must continue to lay off 29 correctional officers.”

Berdnik was a beloved figure in his community and had served in law enforcement in various departments for nearly thirty years

His storied law enforcement career included rescuing three people from a burning building in 1991 and heroically apprehending an armed robber in 2003.

Tributes poured in following news of Berdnik’s death.

Berdnik, a Democrat, was remembered as “the salt of the earth” by Republican former Clifton Mayor James Anzaldi, who said he found him so friendly that they could easily put aside their political differences.

“Richie was the salt of the earth, my kind of person,” he said. “I can’t imagine… My heart breaks for his family.”

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said he enjoyed working with Berdnik because “since he became our leader here in Passaic County, we have had such an excellent working relationship.”

“He always offered help, and especially recently, with the floods, he offered to have rescue vehicles available for us,” Sayegh added.

“I last saw him yesterday, we swore in eight new police officers.”