On a crisp December day in 2020, the life of 38-year-old Jason R. Franco of Montague, New Jersey, was tragically cut short. It was Tuesday, December 8th, when Franco, an officer with the Hamburg Borough Police Department, was deer hunting with a family member in a wooded area in Wantage. The hunt took a devastating turn when a shotgun discharged, striking Franco. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 12:30 p.m.
Authorities from the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office investigated the shooting and quickly determined it to be a tragic accident. First Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Mueller stated that no foul play was suspected in the incident. The investigation revealed that the fatal shot was unintentionally fired by a juvenile relative who was part of the hunting party. Officials explained that Franco and the youth were tracking a deer that had been shot and had run into some thick brush when the accidental discharge occurred.
In accordance with policies regarding juveniles, the identity of the family member has not been publicly released. The official determination was that the event was a 'non-suspicious' and 'unintentional discharge of a weapon.' Consequently, no arrests were made in connection with the death of Officer Franco.
Jason Franco, known as 'Jay' to his loved ones, was a dedicated public servant with a long history of community involvement. Before joining the Hamburg police force in 2018, he had worked for the Sussex County Department of Public Works and served as a hazardous materials technician for the county's HAZMAT team. He also had experience as an officer with the William Paterson University Police Department. His commitment to public safety extended to volunteer work, as he had been a member of the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Department in Pennsylvania and the Montague Fire Department for 15 years. He was remembered by his colleagues in the Sussex County PBA Local 138 as a man who had fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a police officer. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their two sons, Kyle and Jase.
