TOMS RIVER — A state grand jury has cleared officers from Island Heights, Toms River and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office of any wrongdoing in the death of a Toms River man who died following a confrontation with police in April 2024.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced that the grand jury, after reviewing body-camera footage, medical records, and other evidence, voted not to file criminal charges in connection with the death of 47-year-old John Cassidy.
Cassidy died on April 19, 2024, shortly after police attempted to arrest him on outstanding warrants during a traffic stop at a gas station along Route 37 near West End Avenue. According to investigators, Island Heights police officers instructed Cassidy to remain outside of his vehicle, but he got back inside and refused to exit despite repeated orders.
For about 25 minutes, officers tried to persuade Cassidy to come out before breaking a window to gain access. They removed him from the car with help from Toms River police and a sergeant from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office. Once handcuffed, Cassidy suffered a medical emergency.
Officers administered medical aid until emergency responders arrived and transported him to Community Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about 2:25 p.m.
An autopsy determined the cause of death was natural — hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and obesity, according to the medical examiner’s report.
The officers involved were identified as Island Heights Police Officers Peter Muscarella and Dominique D’Amico-Violante, Lt. Paul Rutledge; Toms River Police Officers Anthony Pacella and Krzysztof Kowalczyk, Sgt. Shan Ruiz; and Ocean County Sheriff’s Sgt. Anthony Pereira.
The investigation was conducted by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) under the state’s Independent Prosecutor Directive, which requires the Attorney General’s Office to investigate any death that occurs during an encounter with law enforcement.
After concluding the criminal investigation, OPIA will refer the matter to the appropriate agencies for an administrative review under state internal affairs procedures.
Body-camera footage from the incident has been released and is available at this link.
