South Jersey law enforcement mourns two lost officers

Two South Jersey police officers died unexpectedly last week, and departments throughout the region have sent messages of sympathy and support.

Camden County Police Department Officer Daniel Adler was killed late Thursday afternoon in an off-duty collision when his motorcycle was struck by a car on Route 561 (Haddonfield-Berlin Road) in Cherry Hill.

Adler, who lived in Marlton, was 22 years old.

Camden County spokesman Dan Keashen said the driver of the other vehicle remained on the scene and no charges were filed, nor were any citations issued.

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In a social media post, the department called Adler, who'd been with the agency for two years and a fully sworn officer since March, "a devoted colleague, friend, and family member who will be forever missed."

Camden County Police Department Chief Gabriel Rodriguez called Adler's death "devastating to our officers, agency and the entire city."

"As an organization we will continue to support his family in this unimaginable period of time and keep them in our thoughts and prayers," Rodriguez added.

“This horrific event and sudden loss is something that all of us in the county and the city are grappling with today. Anytime our community loses someone so young it’s tragedy, but knowing that this young man had dedicated his life and career to helping others with our department is a gut punch.” said Camden County Commissioner Director Lou Cappelli.

“We will be keeping the family in our prayers and doing whatever we can to help them through what can only be described as the most difficult period of time any parent can go through.” 

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Detective Steven Cosmo died May 8, the Burlington Township Police Department said in a social media post the following day.

The 29-year-old had been with the department since 2014, the post said, and he had served in the United States Marine Corps for four years before that.

Cosmo was the department's Officer of the Year in 2016, a field training officer and member of its bicycle patrol unit. He became a detective in 2019.

"We send our condolences to Det. Cosmo’s loved ones," the department said in the post. "Please keep Det. Cosmo’s family, the Burlington Twp. PD and the entire community in your thoughts and prayers. We honor Det. Cosmo’s memory and thank him for his service to our country and community."

According to a death notice in the Burlington County Times, Cosmo died "with his family by his side," and was "a caring and dedicated son, brother, uncle, public servant, colleague, dog-dad, and friend."

"He was loved and will be missed immeasurably," the notice continued.

It said Cosmo, a lifelong township resident, was an infantryman in the Marine Corps, enlisting at age 16 and leaving for boot camp after his high school graduation. He was honorably discharged and joined the Burlington Township Police Department.

"Steven was a man of few words," the notice said.

"He was an avid athlete in his youth, a lifelong gamer, tech lover, jokester, and sneakerhead. He was a young punk who turned into an exceptional man. Steven’s contagious smile, kindness, and decency will always be remembered."

His father, Michael J. Cosmo, predeceased him; his survivors include his mother, Donna Dimitri; siblings Deanna, Alex, Traci and Kristin and their children; "his fellow Marines; and his Brothers and Sisters in Blue," and "his loyal four-legged companions, Jasper, Jade, and Charlie." 

Phaedra Trethan has been a reporter and editor in South Jersey since 2007 and has covered Camden and surrounding areas since 2015, concentrating on issues relating to quality of life and social justice for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. She's called South Jersey home since 1971. Contact her with feedback, news tips or questions at ptrethan@gannettnj.com, on Twitter @wordsbyphaedra, or by phone at 856.486-2417.

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