No. 14 Vol. 1
New View Media Group • 1-800-691-7549
January 16, 2018
Wayne Police Officer Battles Rare Form Of Cancer
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By Jason Cohen he Wayne Police Department has dealt with tragedy over the years, ranging from officers getting shot and run over to some passing away. Now, another one of its own is battling cancer. Detective Eric Clemente, known as Jay, his middle name, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2016, when doctors found a neuroen-
docrine tumor in his pancreas. Clemente, 46, a resident of Mt. Olive, has been a cop since 1995, when he began his career with the West Caldwell Police Department. He worked there for eight years until he joined Wayne PD. Captain Laurence Martin, the Investigative Division commander of the Wayne Police Department, recalled that Clemente had been sick
and seeing a doctor, but no one expected cancer. After getting his test results, he spoke to the entire department as if they were his family. “Jay is a very physically fit human being,” he said. “It (cancer) was the furthest thing from any of our imagination.” Although he has undergone chemotherapy and numerous doctor visits in the past year and change, he has been given free reign by Chief James Clarke to show up whenever he wants and he usually does for an hour or so. When he arrives his spirits are high and everyone enjoys seeing him, Martin said. “From an outsider’s point of view, he looks physically fit,” Martin said. While Martin does not know when Clemente will return full time, they can only hope he is medically cleared soon. Martin, who has worked with him for 15 years,
Mt. Olive students wear purple to support classmate’s father battling rare pancreatic cancer.
described him as a “good family man and a caring compassionate professional.” “You’re not going to hear a critical analysis of his career, not because he’s sick, but because he’s a great guy,” he said. “Every aspect of his life as a father, husband, officer and
detective is an extraordinary performance.” Martin stressed that the department comes together in times of need. Whether an officer is sick, hurt or killed on the job, everyone pitches in. In the past year, it held several fundraisers for the Clemente family trying
to ease their financial pain and raise their spirits. It has been reported that some of the other fundraisers included members of the Wayne PD growing facial hair during the No Shave November in support of Clemente’s battle against cancer; cont. on page 2