Services Set For Decorated Bridgeport Police Officer

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A funeral service for Jarah Deon Mathews-Dixon, a 40-year-old decorated Bridgeport Police officer from Stamford who died suddenly on Jan. 4, has been set for Saturday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Union Baptist Church on Newfield Avenue in Stamford.

Following the funeral, a procession will travel to St. John's RC Cemetery in Darien, where an interment will be held. Prior to that, family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home on Myrtle Avenue in Stamford on Friday, Jan. 10, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

According to an obituary, Mathews-Dixon was a "loving husband, father, son and brother," who passed away suddenly surrounded by his loving family. He graduated from Stamford High School in 1997 and studied criminal justice at Central Connecticut State University.

In 2008, he joined the Bridgeport Police Department, where he "served proudly and fulfilled his dream of serving and protecting the community."

See also: Decorated Bridgeport Police Officer Dies Unexpectedly In Stamford

Mathews-Dixon had received the Distinguished Service Medal and the Medal of Merit, and his latest assignment was with the Fusion Center Team, according to a statement from Bridgeport Police.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Mathews-Dixon at this time, along with all of his brothers and sisters of the Bridgeport Police Department," Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim said in a statement.

According to the Connecticut Post, Mathews-Dixon received honors from the department in 2018 in connection with the pursuit of a vehicle that had committed an infraction. During the pursuit, officers witnessed the occupants throwing a large amount of items out of the vehicle.

Police later found they planned to commit arson to a business and kill the owner, the Connecticut Post reports. Mathews-Dixon and K-9 Officer Marie Cetti were recognized by the department for their role in the arrest.

"Officer Mathews-Dixon was a great officer [and] a kind person," Chief Armando Perez said in a statement, "he will surely be missed; our department is very saddened at this time."

Below is the full text of his obituary, posted to the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home website:

Information via Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home

Officer Jarah Deon Mathews Dixon, 40, a decorated Bridgeport Police Officer,loving husband, father, son and brother passed away suddenly surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, January 4, 2020.

Jarah was a native of Stamford, but lived in many places over the years including Temecula CA, where he attended San Marcos High School. He excelled as a running back on the varsity football team and served as a co-captain. Jarah graduated from Stamford High School, Class of 1997, and went on to study criminal justice at Central Connecticut State University.

Shortly after graduation, he met Sara at the gym and they began their lifelong love. They were married on March 8, 2008 in a private ceremony at his parents' home. He began his career as a police officer in April of that year, where he served proudly and fulfilled his dream of serving and protecting the community.

Jarah and Sara welcomed their four beautiful children over the next several years. Jarah and Sara shared a love of music, a zest for great food, simply being in one another's presence and spending time with their boys.

Jarah had a passion for football- Go Giants- and spending the weekends playing with his sons and attending their sporting events. He loved exercising as his boys called him, "the hulk." He had an extensive family, whom he loved visiting and cherished deeply.

Jarah enjoyed spending time with his police brothers and hanging out, talking shop. He will forever be deeply loved and sincerely missed by his family and friends, but comfort will be taken in knowing that he is now with Angela and will be with his family always.

Jarah is survived by his devoted wife, Sara Mathews-Dixon and their three cherished sons, Lorenzo age 11, Anthony age 9, and Dominic age 4. Jarah was predeceased by his daughter, Angela. He is survived by his mother Beatrice Dixon of Stamford, father Rodolfo Mathews of Monroe, mom Susan Mathews, brother Karl Mathews of Monroe, sister Susan Mathews II of Monroe, brother Ollie Hull Jr. of California, sister Michelle Gwynn of Bridgeport, his grandparents Margaret Louisa and Bobby Melvin Brawley of Stamford, mother-in-law Michelina Fiori of Stamford, along with a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, brothers and sister-in-laws.

Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT on Friday, January 10, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Ave., Stamford, CT. A procession will follow to St. John's RC Cemetery, Darien, CT, where an interment will be held.

For online condolences please visit www.cognetta.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Officer Jarah D. Mathews Dixon memory to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 or by visiting www.heart.org.