Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announce with deepest regret the passing of Newark Police Detective Irving Callender, 43, who succumbed to Coronavirus complications today, according to his family.
“Detective Callender has been assigned to my office, serving faithfully and with an unwavering commitment to excellence, since I took office,” Mayor Baraka said. “He was a lifelong Newarker who loved his city, loved his family, and gave his life for both. The entire city is shaken and all of us will mourn his loss collectively.”
“This is an incredibly sad day for Detective Callender’s family, for the Newark Police Division and for Mayor Baraka’s office,” Director Ambrose said. “We have lost a great man and a tremendous colleague. Our hearts are broken.”
Detective Callender began his law enforcement career as a Police Officer assigned to the 5th Precinct in March 2006. He also faithfully served at the 2nd Precinct, in the Street Crimes Unit and in other assignments before joining the Mayor’s Executive Protection Unit in 2014.
Detective Callender was the husband of Melissa N. Callender and father of two sons, Irving Robert Samuel Callender, IV and Camren Mehki Callender.
He also served as a father figure to his niece, Kimani Zaniyah Thomas. He will be sorely missed.