Keith Sargeant

Jersey, Keyport

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Articles

N.J. son charged with murder after shooting father, cops say

3 days ago | nj.com | Keith Sargeant

A 25-year-old Jersey City man has been charged with the murder of his father, according to officials with the Hudson County prosecutor’s office. Gerard Brooker Jr. was arrested in New York at approximately 2:40 a.m. Sunday and charged with murder and gun possession, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.
N.J. mocked by ‘SNL’ amid Newark airport chaos. Good one, guys.

4 days ago | nj.com | Keith Sargeant

The chaos plaguing Newark International Airport for the past two weeks was on the radar of “Saturday Night Live.’’ “SNL’’ took a shot at the Garden State and its communications blackout between controllers and pilots two days after radar screens went dark for air traffic controllers handling flights approaching and departing Newark Liberty International Airport for the second time in two weeks.
A N.J. cop nearly died. Now he spends his own $ to reach kids in need.

1 week ago | nj.com | Keith Sargeant

Michael Gonzalez sat in his police car waiting to die. The Elizabeth detective had been depressed for months. And one spring afternoon three years ago, the toll of investigating horrific crimes against children and his own family issues had become too much to bear. So he steered his car onto a set of train tracks and awaited the end. A speeding train was barreling toward him, its lights shining brighter and brighter as it rumbled closer.
Invisible wounds can kill. How concussions could be driving police suicides.

1 week ago | nj.com | Keith Sargeant

Editor’s note: This is the third installment of Suffering in Silence, a special report on police suicides in New Jersey. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced. If you are in crisis, call the National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 9-8-8 or visiting 988lifeline.org. Erin Smith’s husband changed right before her eyes. He returned home from the most harrowingshift of his career with the Metropolitan Police roughly 12 hours after fighting protesters in the Jan.
A N.J. cop was trying to save his struggling brothers in blue. Then he died by suicide, too.

1 week ago | nj.com | Keith Sargeant

The ominous warning came in an Instagram Live post. “We’re going to talk about loss … we’re going to see a lot of loss tonight.”Mike Failace recorded the startling message last spring, just before taping an episode of the podcast he co-hosted about suicide and depression. It was yet another troubling sign in a series of them. There had been out-of-control drinking binges. Irrational behavior. And unsettling messages scrawled in marker on the former Lyndhurst cop’s coffee mug.
N.J. sheriff's suicide highlights growing mental health crisis among police

2 weeks ago | police1.com | Keith Sargeant

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, you are not alone — and help is always available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with a trained counselor, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or someone you care about, please know that it’s never too late to reach out. You deserve help. You deserve hope. Someone is ready to listen. By Keith Sargeantnj.comChapter I.
An epidemic of suicides haunts N.J. cops. The system to help just might work against them.

2 weeks ago | nj.com | Keith Sargeant

The sheriff did not share his secret with anyone. He arrived at a Turkish restaurant in Clifton seemingly in good spirits on a chilly, overcast afternoon in January 2024. Flanked by one of his deputies, Richard Berdnik sat at his usual table and ordered an appetizer and a water. The popular Passaic County Sheriff then posed for a photo with the owner of Toros — his de facto second headquarters — smiling for the image as he had countless times before in his 13 years in the elected post.
N.J. weather: Temperatures to plunge after rainy Sunday, freeze expected

1 month ago | nj.com | Keith Sargeant

Another day of mild and at times rainy weather is in store for New Jersey on Sunday before temperatures plunge early this week. More rain is in the forecast Sunday for most of New Jersey, with a high of 56 degrees before temperatures plummet overnight. “The unsettled weather continues over the next few days,‘’ the National Weather Service said. “Some showers, with even a period of rain tonight into Monday, and some snow and/or ice possible north of I-78 later tonight.
Rutgers’ struggles come at a steep price. The largest deficit in the Big Ten.

Feb 11, 2025 | nj.com | Keith Sargeant

NCAA Tournament appearances by the field hockey and women’s soccer teams. A bowl win by the football team. And a 14th-place national finish for the women’s rowing team. They were the highlights for the Rutgers athletic program in a year in which it finished last among Big Ten programs in the Learfield Directors’ Cup, an annual ranking of college athletic departments based on performance across the entire sports landscape.
A once disgraced coach is making $160K at a N.J. school. But is it just to win games?

Jan 27, 2025 | nj.com | Keith Sargeant

Mike Rice stepped to the microphone and soaked in a hearty ovation. This was a new start for the once embattled coach. He had just been approved as the Linden High School boys basketball coach, the next chapter in a career that began with such promise but was derailed by an infamous abuse scandal more than a decade ago. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.