Lakewood Respected veteran Lt. Robert DeSimone, who served the township for almost 20 years, passed away, and the Lakewood Police Department is in sorrow.
As one of eight recruits in Ocean County Police Academy Class 59, Lt. DeSimone started his career in law enforcement in August 1992. He began his career in the patrol division of the department and worked his way up the ranks throughout the years.
DeSimone became a member of the Special Response Team in 2000 and eventually rose to the position of commander. Contributing to the department’s homeland security initiatives, he was elevated to sergeant in 2010 and then a lieutenant in 2016. After 25 years of service, he retired on December 29, 2016.
He was a devoted public servant who left a lasting impression on the community and his fellow officers, and the department was deeply saddened to learn of his demise.
