Ex-Wayne Firefighter, Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller Remembered

WAYNE, NJ — Local police and fire officials expressed their thoughts and condolences regarding the death of Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller, a Fort Myers, Florida police officer who died Saturday night, a week after he was shot responding to a call at a gas station.

Jobbers-Miller was a former township resident and Wayne Valley High School alumnus, class of 2007.

"As a parent of three I can only imagine how terrible this tragedy is for the parents to whom I offer my deepest sympathy," said Wayne Township Police Chief James Clarke. "Violent acts against police officers in the United States has become all too common. The fact that it has hit close to home magnifies the problem."

Jobbers-Miller got his start helping others with P.O.L. Fire Co. 2. A candlelight vigil was held at Fire Co. 2 Friday in Jobbers-Miller's honor. Jobbers-Miller joined the fire department in 2009, USA Today reported.

"It was an honor being his chief and to watch him grow into such a devoted, dedicated firefighter," company Chief John Gabriel said in the USA Today report.

"Thank you for giving your life so others can be safe," said a memorial message the fire company shared on its Facebook page following Jobbers-Miller's death.

Other Wayne fire companies posted similar sentiments on Facebook.

Community Volunteer Fire Co. 1 sent its condolences to the Fort Myers Police Department, Wayne Fire Co. 2, and all of Jobbers-Miller's family and friends.

"The world lost a tremendous human being and hero today," the company's post read. "Rest in peace Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller."

Jobbers-Miller's body was escorted from Lee Memorial Hospital in Florida to the medical examiner's office with honor Saturday night, WINK News reported on its Facebook page.

Jobbers-Miller was shot in the head and remained in "critical, but stable" condition at the hospital for seven days after he was shot, Fort Myers Police Chief Derrick Diggs previously said.

Jobbers-Miller was shot by Winser Desmaret, 29, during a foot pursuit July 21, police said. He was in critical condition since Saturday. Desmaret was wanted for allegedly stealing a cell phone from a group of kids.

Desmaret was charged with eight felonies, including first-degree attempted murder, upon his release from the hospital, Fort Myers Police Chief Derrick Diggs. It is unknown if any of the charges would be changed or upgraded following Jobbers-Miller's death.

More than $63,000 has been donated to an online fundraiser organized Fort Myers police for Jobbers-Miller's family.

A Wayne native responded to the same call that Jobbers-Miller did. Officer Matt Zarillo was hired by the Fort Myers Police Department the same year Jobbers-Miller was, 2015.

Related: Ex-Wayne Man, Florida Police Officer Dies After Being Shot

Photo: Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller (Fort Myers Police Department)