On a cold January morning in 1979, the life of a dedicated law enforcement officer was tragically cut short. Joseph J. Rybka, a 32-year-old male, had served with the Bergen County Sheriff's Office for a decade, a tenure that spoke to his commitment to protecting his community. In the early hours of January 7th, he was assigned to guard a wounded prisoner at Bergen Pines County Hospital. The man he was watching over was a 22-year-old with a violent and extensive criminal history, including numerous convictions for assault, larceny, and illegal weapons possession. He had been hospitalized after a shootout with detectives just four days earlier.
In the quiet of the hospital at 3:08 a.m., a struggle erupted. The prisoner managed to overpower Deputy Rybka, wrestling away his service weapon. The silence was shattered by the sound of four gunshots. Three of those bullets found their mark, striking and killing the deputy.
With the officer's gun still in hand, the suspect fled from the hospital, leaving a scene of violence and loss behind him. His freedom, however, was short-lived.
The alarm was raised, and a swift search ensued. Approximately thirty minutes after his escape, law enforcement officers located and arrested the suspect. He was still in possession of Deputy Rybka's firearm. The man responsible for the death of the deputy was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was most recently denied parole in July 2022 and will be eligible for consideration again in December 2025. Deputy Rybka, a husband and father, was remembered for his sacrifice and service to the citizens of Bergen County.
