Police Officer Killed In Wayne Crash 'Always There To Help,' Obituary Says

Editor's note: Information contained in this obituary was taken from Moore's Home For Funerals website.

WAYNE, NJ — Township resident and Pompton Lakes Police Sgt. Peter Jay Kamper Jr. was killed in a tragic accident in the early morning hours of Aug. 9. The motorcycle he was driving hit a deer and he was thrown from it.

Born on April 28, 1977 to former Wayne Police Sgt. Peter Jay Kamper Sr. and Wendy Regenburgh Kamper, "P.J." as he was named by his Aunt Robin Regenburgh, was big at the start. Later on, his size mislead people to think he was older, much older. It both helped and hurt. Brother Michael and "P.J." had a love-hate relationship early on that evolved into a true love for one another. It was always a competition as to who could out best who.

Kamper Jr. graduated from Wayne Hills High School, worked for the Wayne Township Department of Public Works and eventually decided to pursue his dream of following in his father's and both uncles, Officer Ken Kamper and Lt. Billy Mott's footsteps to become a police officer. He started at the Pompton Lakes Police Department on June 13, 2004. It wasn't long before he earned accolades from the community and his co-workers. In his spare time he became a "home improvement specialist" learning how to tile floors, rewire electrical components and how to be a plumber.

Now going by the more mature name of "Pete," he was intimidating in size but massive in heart. He married Christine Disimino on June 20th, 2015. The outdoor wedding was held in Laurelwood Arboretum. The ceremony, conducted by then Mayor Katie Cole, was touching. That, coupled with the natural setting, made it unforgettable. Christine and Pete would tool around on his Harley-Davidson, work together in renovating their house and catering to their pets.

Kamper Jr. was always there to help. His passions included the Special Olympics, being a firearms instructor, working with kids and spending time with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Christine; mom and dad; brother Michael Kamper and his wife Aimee, his nephew Michael; grandmother June Regenburgh; in-laws Joe and Holley Disimino; sister-in-law Stefanie Disimino; aunts and uncles Robin and Ken Kamper, Robin Regenburgh and Ken Monkowski, Susan and Jean Gignac, Beverly Hill, John and Marion Cannella, Dennis and Ann Kamper, Jack Vanderbrook; aunts Paula Mariconda and Diana Henry; cousins Jennifer, Kim, Jack, Marianne, Johnny, Nadine, Desiree, Andy and Heather, Kristin and Heidi, Nicole, Jeffery, Cheryl, Erika and Joy and his pets.

The void left by this gentle giant will never be filled.

A funeral is Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Moore's Home for Funerals, 1591 Alps Road, Wayne. Interment will be at Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa.

The funeral procession will be traveling across the Jefferson Avenue bridge in Pompton Lakes on Saturday. Everyone wishing to show their support is asked to gather on or near the bridge at approximately 11 a.m.

An online fundraiser has been launched to help Kamper Jr.'s family.

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Photo: Sgt. Peter Kamper Jr./Pompton Lakes Police Department