Police flag football game will benefit family who lost father

The wife called Old Bridge police well after 8 p.m., when her husband is typically in bed. He was an early riser, and he was missing. Calls to friends and hospitals had been fruitless.
Officer Kyle Fuentes responded and within a short amount of time, and as he gathered information, he sensed something was wrong.
He also saw the man’s two very young daughters.
The man’s neighbors had mobilized and were going through their home’s security and doorbell cameras, looking for footage that might aid police. Then one said that he suspected the man walked left – toward a wooded area. If he’d walked right, the cameras would have captured him.
Fuentes and colleagues went there and searched, but in the dark, they were ineffective. The next morning, they found him there. He’d taken his own life.
Police officers see terrible sights, and often must let the details of incidents melt away.
Fuentes, though, could not shake this early October call, especially the daughters.
“Going forward in their lives, it’s going to be completely different,” he said. “It’s a very difficult time for them.”
He reached out the man’s widow, and learning he had no life insurance, he decided to act. He wanted to create a positive from such a devastating incident.
So, on Nov. 10, the Old Bridge and Sayreville police PBA unions will square off in flag football game that will benefit for the family. The game is technically free, but attendees are asked to make a donation.
Fuentes and his union created a QR code for the donations, which send the funds to a union account, which will go to the man’s family. Plus, each union has pledged $1,000 each to get things going. (The flier can be found by clicking here.)
An officer for nine years, two in Old Bridge, Fuentes said police work has never impacted him the way this family, especially the little girls, has.
“I didn’t want them to just be a police report,” he said.
The game will be played at Lombardi Field, 3439 County Road 516, in Old Bridge. For more information, contact Officer Fuentes at [email protected].
Editor’s note: NJ Advance Media typically limits reporting on suicides to those that occur in crowded public places, involve public figures or, in special circumstances, where there is a larger public impact. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
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Kevin Shea may be reached at [email protected]