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SWOYERSVILLE — A borough police officer was killed in an off-duty motor vehicle crash in eastern Pennsylvania early Sunday morning.
Patrolman Andrew Jones, 25, was sworn in as a full-time police officer for the Swoyersville Police Department in October. He lost his life in a crash in the Lehigh Valley, Mayor Christopher Concert said.
Jones’ body was escorted back to Swoyersville on Sunday morning by a procession of fire trucks and police cars.
“We all want to offer condolences to his family and friends,” Concert said. “He was so happy, and so looking forward to making a difference in our small town.”
Jones was remembered by Concert as a diligent worker and a proud patrolman.
“He always wanted to be involved in something,” Concert said.
A 2012 graduate of Wyoming Area High School, Jones also served as a firefighter in Wyoming, rising through the ranks to become deputy fire chief.
He served as a part-time police officer in Swoyersville before being sworn in as a full-time patrolman two months ago.
“He wanted to be a police officer for the right reasons,” Concert said. “There’s a big void left in our department.”
Flags will be flown at half-staff at the borough municipal building to honor Jones’ memory.
According to the Lehighton Times-News:
Jones died after his car hit a large tree.
The crash occurred at 2 a.m. when Jones lost control of his car, crossing the roadway and entering a lawn. Jones was transported to St. Luke’s Gnaden Huetten Hospital with plans of transporting him by helicopter to a trauma center. He died before he could be loaded onto the helicopter.