Atlantic City police officer has been found dead in car
Galloway Township NJ Aug 25 2020
An Atlantic City police officer was found dead in his car on Saturday, police said.
Officer Richard Link’s body was discovered in Galloway Township, Chief Henry White said in a statement. A cause of death was not given, but police said Link died unexpectedly. He was not in a department-issued vehicle, police said.
“Officer Richard Link was a young, bright, rising star in our department,” White said. “He was a hard worker and dedicated to the residents and visitors of Atlantic City.”
The 29-year-old from Brigantine was as on the force since December 2016 when he was hired as a Special Law Enforcement Officer Class II. He was promoted to a police officer in April 2019, where he was assigned to the Operations Division.
Link served on the Riot Investigation Team as a temporary assignment in recent months, following riots and looting after May’s peaceful protests, police said.
“He most recently received tremendous praise for his work ethic and dedication from his supervisors and peers as he was an integral part of our team that investigated the looting and rioting that occurred in May,” White said. “On behalf of the men and women of the ACPD, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Link at this difficult time.”
Atlantic City PBA President Matt Rogers said Link was an “incredible investigator,” according to the Press of Atlantic City, and said the union’s “thoughts and prayers are with Link’s family and friends.
“And to any other officer who may be feeling that pain, you’re not alone. We have support systems for this (and) we encourage them to find that support.”
