Hero Down: Retired Elizabeth Police Officer Jim Varga Dies In Fire

Retired Elizabeth Police Officer Jim Varga was killed after a collision and fire.

Retired Elizabeth Officer Jim Varga Dies

Elizabeth, NJ – A retired Elizabeth Police Officer, Jim Varga, was killed on Friday, March 3, 2017.

According to NJ.com,  the incident occurred just past the Newark border behind Jefferson Avenue. Elizabeth Police Officers and firefighters responded to a report of a vehicle that had struck a transformer, which caused it to be engulfed in fire.

Pat Shannon, retired Elizabeth City Police Chief, said that Officer Jim Varga had served as a Marine in the Vietnam War, and that he had started working with the Elizabeth City Police Department in 1982.  He retired in 2015.

Retired Chief Shannon said Officer Varga “was an outstanding Police Officer who loved his job, earned several departmental commendations for outstanding work, and was highly respected by both the community and by other police officers.  He said that he kept active with the Elizabeth Police Department after retirement by being in charge of the Toys for Tots program at Christmas.”

Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage said, “Jim represented our city in a professional way no matter the task, from patrol to working in a neighborhood, he exemplified compassion and hard work,” Bollwage said. “Jim contributed in many ways to the safety and protection of our citizens.”

Condolences poured in to the EPD by way of social media.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of retired Elizabeth Officer Jim Varga, both blood and blue. Godspeed, sir, we will take it from here.  Thank you for your service.

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