Jersey City Police Officer John Mack, who served for over two decades, dies at 43

Jersey City Police Officer John Mack, who served for over two decades and was affectionately known by friends and family as “Johnny Boy,” died at 43 years old on Tuesday.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“The JCPD family is heartbroken by the untimely passing Officer Mack who served this city with dedication and pride since joining the JCPD in 2005,” Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose and Police Chief Robert Kearns said in a joint statement.

“Following in the footsteps of his father, a retired Jersey City Police Officer, Officer Mack spent much of his career on midnight patrol in the East District, also serving in the North and most recently in the South.”

They also expressed their condolences to Mack’s family, loves ones, friends, and fellow officers.

A lifelong Jersey City resident, Mack served as a corrections officer for Hudson County and the state before becoming a police officer 24 years ago, according to his obituary.

“John lived boldly and fully. He was bigger than life in every sense. He was the kind of man whose presence filled a room the moment he walked in. He was sharp, dapper, and always impeccably dressed, with a style all his own and a love for jewelry that matched his unmistakable flair,” his obituary says.

“He was an improper jokester with a proper heart, the life of the party, always smiling, always laughing, and always ready with a joke that could leave everyone around him in stitches. But beyond his larger than life personality was a man with a heart of gold.”

Mack’s visitation will be held at the Riotto Funeral Home, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., on Friday between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., with his funeral set for St. Aloysius Church, 691 West Side Ave., Saturday at 11 a.m.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jersey City Police Officer Johnny Mack …  On behalf of the City of Jersey City, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Officer Mack’s family, loved ones, and fellow officers at the Jersey City Police Department,” Mayor James Solomon said in a statement.

“The men and women of our police force form a tight-knit family, and I know this loss is felt deeply across the entire department. My thoughts are with the Officer Mack’s family and friends while they mourn this loss.”