Somerset Co. Sheriff's Officer Dies Of Heart Attack While On Duty

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Authorities in Somerset County are mourning the loss of Ahmed Mackey, who died Sunday morning following an apparent heart attack while on duty, according to Sheriff Darrin Russo.

"He was a great officer, he was definitely very well-liked by the other officers in the community," said Russo. "He was an all-around good guy. He dfinitely lit up a room when he walked in. He will be sorely missed."

Somerset County Sheriff's Officer Mackey, 50, of Piscataway was on duty Sunday when the medical emergency happened, Russo said.

Mackey was in the parking garage when he lost his breath and called other officers for help, said Russo.

"When the officers got to him he already ended up collapsing and they began CPR and worked on him for away before he was brought to an area hospital and pronounced dead," said Russo.

Mackey leaves behind his daughter Ary. A fundraising page has been set up to start a college tuition fund for Ary, who was Ahmed's "word", according to the GoFundMe page. To donate click here.

The Sheriff's Office Chaplain program, which was established in January, is present at headquarters conducting group and in-person private grief counseling for other officers and also Mackey's family who is coming from out of state.

December would've marked Mackey's 20 years of serving with the Sheriff's Office. In his time there, he worked in the bias and hate crime unit and also the public relations unit. He previously served five years in a nearby department.

"Ahmed had this big smile and infectious personality that lit up every room he entered," said
Undersheriff Tim Pino, who served with Mackey for 20 years.

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