A 14-year Veteran with the New Jersey State Police died of an apparent heart attack while participating in department physical fitness training at the Casino Gaming Bureau in Atlantic City on Sept. 12.
Detective Sergeant James G. Hoopes III, 40, of Northfield was on duty when he died unexpectedly, according to an article posted in the newsletter of the New Jersey Society for Environmental Economic Development (NJ SEED).
The Officer Down Memorial Page said Hoopes suffered a fatal heart attack while training.
According to his obituary, Hoopes is survived by his wife Merry and two sons, Jason and Joey. He also coached youth baseball, youth basketball and youth football in his community.
His accomplishments included a stint as a professional basketball player with the Washington Generals after graduating from college. He also served as a Spanish teacher and basketball coach at Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, N.J.
In November 1998, he graduated from the 118th New Jersey State Police class. He was a honorable and decorated trooper.
