Ricardo Jorge Barbosa, a 29-year-old male from Belleville, New Jersey, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2022. Born in Newark, New Jersey, he was a dedicated community member and a police officer with the Newark Police Department. Barbosa was found at his home on Bell Street in Belleville with what was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Despite the efforts of Belleville police officers who administered CPR at the scene, Barbosa succumbed to his injuries. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office reported that there were no signs of suspicious activity or foul play in connection with his death.
Consequently, there have been no reports of a criminal investigation, and no suspects have been identified or arrested.
A graduate of Belleville High School and William Paterson University with a degree in Psychology, Barbosa had been a member of the Newark Police Department since 2016. He served as a Community and School Resource Officer in the Ironbound district, where he was known for his passion for working with at-risk youth. He was particularly involved with the Newark Boys and Girls Club of the Ironbound, where he established a chess club for the students. His death was a significant loss to the community he served.
