A retired Roxbury, New Jersey police lieutenant who was critically injured in a bicycle crash during the Police Unity Tour on Monday has died.
Joseph Franklin was involved in the crash during the first day of the 320-mile trek to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. as part of National Police Week, according to NJ.com.
He was transported to Morristown Medical Center following the crash and was later pronounced dead after efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
Franklin's family said in a statement that the veteran officer completed his final act of service by donating his organs in order to help others, even in death.
Franklin served with the Roxbury Police Department for 25 years and helped found the department's police explorer program, Explorer Post 2188, in 1991.
"Over 500 young men and women participated in the Explorer's Program during Joe's supervision," Police Chief Marc Palanchi said in a statement. "He gave his time, energy and provided leadership and guidance to young people effortlessly. Following the example set forth by Joe, many of those explorers went on to become police officers, while others simply went on to become productive members of society."
During time in law enforcement, Franklin graduated from the West Point Command and Leadership program in 1997 and received the William H. Sturgeon Leadership Award from the Boy Scouts of America in 1993.
