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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WEAR YOUR HELMET OR DIE: Helmetless Pompton Lakes, NJ Officer Peter J. Kamper Jr., 40, was killed by smashing his head on the pavement after his 2001 Harley Davidson FXS struck a deer east on Lakeside AvenueOff-Duty Cop IDed As Victim Of Fatal Wayne Motorcycle Crash
A doctor at the scene rendered aid until first responders arrived, but Peter J. Kamper Jr., badge #164, was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said.
By Daniel Hubbard (Patch Staff) -
Updated August 9, 2017 12:44 pm ET
WAYNE, NJ — The township man killed when his motorcycle hit a deer was heading home from his shift as a Pompton Lakes Police officer, authorities said.
Peter J. Kamper Jr., 40, was driving his 2001 Harley Davidson FXS east on Lakeside Avenue when it struck a deer, said Lt. Daniel Daly of the Wayne Police Department's Traffic Bureau. The impact caused Kamper to be thrown from the motorcycle.
Kamper was a sergeant with the Pompton Lakes Police Department.
Pompton Lakes Police Chief Moises Agosto could not be reached for comment.
Kamper had just finished a working a 7 to 11 p.m. fill-in shift and was heading home, Pompton Lakes Police Chief Agosto told NJ.com. He was a 13-year veteran assigned to the patrol division, the department's lead firearms instructor and helped the department remain compliant with state guidelines, the chief said in the report.
"He was a jack-of-all-trades," the chief said. "He's going to be missed dearly."
Nearby residents heard the crash and found Kamper unresponsive at the scene; a doctor rendered aid until members of the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad and paramedics arrived, Daly said.
Kamper was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson where Dr. Alexander Riss pronounced him dead, Daly said.
The Traffic Bureau is investigating the crash. Anyone who may have information is asked to call the bureau at 973-633-3520.
This guy was not wearing his helmet and paid the ultimate price. Learn and live.