Packer was only 24 years old.
The San Jose police chief says the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated by Milpitas police.
In a statement, Chief Mata pledged accountability, saying:
“Any allegation of illegal drug use by a San Jose police officer is concerning. There are no free passes for police officers and we will not make excuses.”
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A San Jose police officer was found dead at his home over the weekend in the South Bay. The officer is said to be former San Jose State football player DeJon Packer, 24, a 2021 SJPD academy graduate.
Milpitas police told ABC7 News that Packer was off duty when he was found dead at his home Sunday afternoon.
RELATED: San Jose man arrested in double stabbing that killed his father and injured his mother, police say
“Today is a difficult day here at the police department for many of us,” said SJPD Sgt. Christian Camarillo said.
“Everyone is heartbroken for Pack, for his family and for our football family here because he had such a tremendous impact on everyone he met,” said SJSU Football Head Coach Brent Brennan.
Packer was a local kid who made an impact on his community in many ways.
After a successful football career at Gunderson High School and San Jose City College, Packer entered the Spartan program.
Coach Brennan said he was a leader on and off the field.
“On the soccer field, he was fantastic,” Brennan said. “He was a guy who came here from San Jose City College and got a scholarship. He was always on the 3.0 wall. He did everything right all the time.”
San Jose State emphasizes life “beyond football,” and Packer took the lessons to heart in deciding what he would do after graduating from SJSU.
He joined the San Jose Police Department, graduating with the academy’s pandemic class of 2021.
“Being a police officer, serving the community spoke to him, which is not surprising,” Brennan said. “He always volunteered for community outreach and always engaged in that way.”
“We have a lot of people here who are grieving yesterday, today and will be grieving for some time,” said Sgt. Camarillo said. “This officer was well liked.”
Our law enforcement family is devastated by the sudden loss of Officer DeJon Packer, who passed away last night.
DeJon graduated from the police academy just a year ago. He was loved by the San Jose community and was a celebrated former SJSU football player. pic.twitter.com/qrTQZGkDoJ
— San Jose Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) March 14, 2022
My heart breaks for the family and many friends of @SanJosePD Officer DeJon Packer. DeJon graduated from Gunderson High School, played soccer for @SJSU, and after graduation, he served his community as a police officer. (1/2) https://t.co/Afj7JPvCdE
— Sam Liccardo (@sliccardo) March 14, 2022
DeJon Packer was 24 years old, a life many close to him said was lost too soon.
“Being so young and how good he was already giving to the world, not having that here and in San Jose is a devastating loss for all of us,” Brennan said.
SJPD made it clear that despite reports on social media, there is no connection between the death of the SJPD officer and a double stabbing in San Jose over the weekend.
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