LAKEWOOD — A professional bowler turned 25-year-year veteran police officer died suddenly Sunday after a brief illness.

A graduate of Ocean County Academy Class 70, Capt. Joseph Goertz joined the force in 1998 and worked his way up through the department. He started as a patrol officer and later was a member of the department's Special Response Team. Goertz was promoted in 2016 to captain as a patrol commander.

"Today we lost an amazing father, husband, mentor, friend, boss and leader," the department wrote on its Facebook page.

"Joe was a proud family man, nurturing husband and an amazing father. His family always came first and he made sure that it was known his best accomplishments in life were being lucky enough to marry his beautiful wife Elena and being a father to four great children."

The department did not disclose details about Goertz's illness.

Lakewood police Capt. Joseph Goertz
Lakewood police Capt. Joseph Goertz (Lakewood police)
loading...

'Everybody liked him'

Lakewood Committeeman Albert Akerman remembered Goertz as a "good guy" who was community-minded.

"He was very encouraging, into his work, and the people under him, over him — everybody — liked him," Ackerman told New Jersey 101.5. "He was at events and he interacted with the kids. He was well-rounded, down-to-earth person."

Goertz once told Lakewood police Chief Greg Meyer that his role as a police officer was not all that defined him.

"'Just call me Joe,' a dedicated family man that loved his wife, kids and proud to serve the Lakewood police community," Meyer said.

Funeral arrangements were not announced as of Monday morning.

Lakewood police HQ honors Lakewood police Capt. Joseph Goertz
Lakewood police HQ honors Lakewood police Capt. Joseph Goertz (The Lakewood Scoop)
loading...

Life before law enforcement

Bowling ran in the Goertz family as both he and his father were accomplished bowlers.

Goertz bowled before joining Lakewood police with several trophies on display at the Lakewood Historical Museum. He was the NJSIAA boys bowling champion in 1979.

Donna, a long-time employee at Ocean Lanes in Lakewood, told New Jersey 101.5 that Goertz spent time in Las Vegas as a pro bowler.

He still bowled in the Joe Goertz League named after his father. The Joe Goertz Memorial Scholarship Tournament was held Oct. 13 at Ocean Lanes.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

Answers to 25 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

Vaccinations for COVID-19 began being administered in the U.S. on Dec. 14, 2020. The quick rollout came a little more than a year after the virus was first identified in November 2019. The impressive speed with which vaccines were developed has also left a lot of people with a lot of questions. The questions range from the practical—how will I get vaccinated?—to the scientific—how do these vaccines even work?

Keep reading to discover answers to 25 common COVID-19 vaccine questions.

The 10 Most Stolen Vehicles In New Jersey

What to know about the spotted lanternfly & tree of heaven in NJ

How to identify the tree of heaven, one of the most likely places to find egg masses from the spotted lanternfly

More From 105.7 The Hawk