Two veteran Newark police officers die from coronavirus less than two weeks apart

A veteran of the Newark Police Department became the 10th New Jersey police officer to die due to coronavirus complications, 11 days after another city police officer became the ninth, city officials said. 

Sgt. Michael Clegg, 53, died on Sunday after a battle with the virus, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement. Clegg's death came less than two weeks after officer Michael Conners, 58, died from coronavirus complications on April 30, according to city officials. 

“Our hearts are broken by the news of Sergeant Clegg’s passing,” Ambrose said. "Sergeant Clegg was highly respected by his colleagues and was extremely respectable in his demeanor towards the public." 

Clegg was a 27-year veteran of the force, joining the department in 1993. Clegg served in the fourth and fifth precincts of the city before most recently joining the first precinct, the statement said. During his time as an officer, he joined the Newark Police Bronze Shields, an African-American police officers’ association. 

"Sergeant Clegg blended the finest traditions from over a quarter-century in policing with today’s best practices of impeccable community service and leadership of other officers," Police Chief Darnell Henry said in a statement. 

Clegg, an uncle to one nephew and four nieces, leaves behind his mother, Rosalia Clegg and sister, Tammy Norman. 

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Conners also joined the department in 1993, most recently serving the 1st precinct for the past five years. 

“Officer Conners was a pillar in the Newark Police Division,” Henry said. “He was

known for his consistency as an insightful guardian of the community and as a reliable colleague.”

Conners leaves behind two sons, two daughters and six grandchildren, the statement said. 

As of Monday, there were 139,945 reported cases in the state with over 9,000 deaths. Confirmed cases in Essex County surpassed 15,000 and 1,400 deaths. 

Anthony Zurita is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all the major news happening in North Jersey, subscribe here. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: zuritaa@northjersey.com Twitter: @AnthonyRZurita