A Crawford, New York police sergeant died Thursday afternoon after suffering a medical emergency while investigating a report of a marijuana grow operation.
Sgt. Eric Meier was assisting in the investigation in a section of fields and woods on old farmland off of Lybolt Road, along the Wallkill-Crawford town line when he fell ill around 2:20 p.m., according to The Times Herald-Record.
The 51-year-old sergeant's partner called for help and he was transported by ambulance to the Orange Regional Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill, where he was pronounced dead.
Police Chief Dominic Blasko told the newspaper that Meier was a good-natured, beloved figure in the town and was a man deeply involved in his community.
"He was just an all-around good guy," Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said "It’s a sad day for Orange County law enforcement."
He worked as a police officer in Crawford for more than 25 years. He also had served as a Pine Bush school board member since 2002, and was honored several times over the years by police and community organizations for his service.
Funeral Arrangements
Visitation for Sgt. Meier will be held Monday, September 21 at Gagan Funeral Home in Pine Bush, New York.
His funeral will be held at Gagan Funeral Home on Tuesday.
