JACKSON – A Lakewood police officer was killed in a motorcycle accident in the township Saturday afternoon, police have confirmed.
The Lakewood News Network was first to identify the officer as 23-year-old Patrolman Nicholas (Nicklas) Shimonovich.
Lakewood Police Captain Gregory Staffordsmith confirmed the identity once his family was notified.
Captain Staffordsmith confirmed that Shimonovich was off-duty at the time of the crash on Thompson Bridge Road. It appears he lost control of the motorcycle, struck a mailbox and a parked utility trailer.
He was transported to Monmouth Medical Southern Campus where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
The accident is under investigation by the Jackson Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Shimonovich graduated from the police academy in 2018 and had been with the Lakewood Police Department since that year.
Shimonovich, who had badge number 392, was the son of Lakewood Police Lieutenant Rob Shimonovich and Sergeant Jeanette Shimonovich.
Captain Staffordsmith made a statement to the media via email: “He was well respected by his peers, supervisors and the community he loved to serve. We ask that you keep him and his family and friends in your thoughts during this difficult time.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Messages of love and remembrance have been pouring in all over social media.
