Veteran Brick police officer dies after battle with cancer

Brick police Chief James Riccio said DeMarco was a go-to patrolman who his superiors could rely on for the more serious jobs.

Patrolman Kristopher DeMarco, #213. (Photo courtesy of the Brick Township Police Department).

BRICK -- A 12-year veteran patrolman died Saturday after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Officer Kristopher DeMarco, 38, had just been diagnosed in early November. But, at the time of his diagnosis, the cancer had already spread throughout his body, said Brick Mayor John Ducey.

"He was a really great officer," Ducey said. "... He's been a Brick resident his whole life. He Graduated from Brick Memorial High School, worked at Steinbachs. Everyone knows him around here."

Brick police Chief James Riccio said DeMarco was a go-to patrolman who his superiors could rely on for the more serious jobs.

"Kris was a great guy," Riccio said. "He was friends with everybody and that's what makes it even tougher. ... He touched a lot of people because he was so personable."

Former police Chief Rick Bergquist, who retired in December, said DeMarco was a "hardworking policeman." 

"He was respected by anyone who worked with him and knew him," Bergquist said. "He was very quiet, a friendly person who got along with everyone."    

DeMarco was hired by the Brick Township Police Department on August 5, 2003.

A graduate of the Ocean County Police Academy's 81^st class, DeMarco spent the bulk of his career working the midnight shift.

He also served as a background investigator, an assistant to the department's training unit and was a member of the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) since January 2007.

From 2009 to 2010, DeMarco was assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Special Operations Group.

He served on the executive board for the PBA #230 as its financial secretary and was an active member in numerous charitable committees.

DeMarco earned a number of chief's certificates and awards, including the Policeman of the Year award in 2007.

Brick police announced DeMarco's death on its Facebook page Sunday afternoon. The post had 214 comments as of Sunday evening, many offering their condolences to the Brick Township community.

"We offer our sincerest condolences on the loss of this fine young officer," one commenter wrote. "Rest in Peace."

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy issued a statement on his Facebook page thanking DeMarco for his service.

"On behalf of Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and the entire staff at the Ocean County Sheriff's Office we send our thoughts and prayers to the family of Brick Township Police Officer Kris Demarco who passed away today," the statement said. "Life is very short for so many... God speed #213."

Other departments around the county also offered their support on Sunday. 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.