Funeral Services Set For Toms River Police Officer Brett Hansen

BRICK, NJ — Funeral services have been set for Toms River Police Officer Brett Hansen, who died Friday, nearly 10 months after a devastating car accident on the Garden State Parkway.

His obituary, posted on the O'Brien Funeral Home website, said visitation will be Thursday and the funeral service will be on Friday.

His full obituary is as follows:

Brett Matthew Hansen, 28, of Brick, passed away on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy. Officer Hansen started his career as a Special II Officer with the Point Pleasant Police Department. He then transferred to the Camden Police Department and rose to the rank of detective of the Special Victims Unit. While at Camden, Officer Hansen received several commendations. Brett later transferred to the Toms River Police Department where he was currently employed at the time of his passing.

Officer Hansen attended West Virginia University, then transferred to Rowan University, where he received his degree in criminal justice. He was a member of PBA Local 137.

Brett was an avid New York Giants fan, and a devoted West Virginia Mountaineer. Aside from his love of sports, Brett loved the beach, and the outdoors, and most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially the light of his life, Katie Ray.

Born in New Brunswick, Brett lived most of his life in Brick. Brett was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, “Nanny and Poppy,” Janet and Robert Ray, as well as his paternal grandparents, Frederick Hansen and Helen Anderson.

Surviving are his parents, James and Lori Hansen of Brick; his “right hand man” and brother, Tyler James Hansen of Brick, with whom he shared a special bond; aunts and uncles, Lynn Ray; his godmother Carol Ray; Debra Tipton; Margaret Guzzio and her husband, George, and Carl Hansen and his wife Julie; and his loving godfather, Glenn Veralli. Also surviving are his cousins, Gabriella Rubio and her husband Tom, and Joseph Guzzio; and his cousins whom he called his sister and brother, Katie Ray and Officer Cody Tipton. Each and every one held a special place in his heart, as did his faithful dog, Jersey.

Visiting will be on Thursday from 3-8 p.m. at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. A funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Manasquan United Methodist Church, 23 Church St., Manasquan. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, Schoolhouse Road, Brielle.

If you would like to make a donation in Brett's name, please direct it towards the Toms River PBA, or the Camden County PBA, or your local church or charity. Pay it forward to someone in need, as so many have done for us.

Photo via Toms River Police Department