The funeral arrangements have been set for Hudson County Sheriff’s Office Lt. and SWAT Commander Matt Vogel who died from COVID-19.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The services will be held at Vainieri Funeral Home, located at 5923 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in North Bergen, beginning with a visitation between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on January 3rd, then again the following day between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The funeral will follow on January 4th at 11 a.m. and the burial will be at the Cresthaven Cemetery in Clifton.
“I’ve know Matt for years and this is just heartbreaking news to all of us. He was a gentle giant and cared for his community. He always put the job first. He always had a big smile on himself,” said Anthony Vainieri, the funeral home manager and also the chair of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners.
“On behalf of the board of commissioners, our most deepest sympathy and condolences to his family as well as to the entire department. He will definitely be missed.”
Vogel had been with the HCSO since September 1999 and had been a member of the North Bergen Volunteer First Aid Squad for about a decade prior to that, according to his LinkedIn page.
His was promoted to sergeant in April 2011 and then lieutenant in February 2017, serving as the SWAT team leader since June 2003.
He died due to COVID-19 complications yesterday and his boss, Sheriff Frank Schillari, commended him for his service, as HCV first reported.
“We will never forget the service of Lieutenant Vogel and his contributions to our office. He will be deeply missed by all that were lucky enough to have known him. His family is in all of our thoughts and prayers,” the sheriff said in a statement yesterday.
A real question. Covid is sweeping Hudson County, many of us are afraid.