The cause of death for San Jose police officer De’Jon Packer was “fentanyl toxicity,” the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Saturday.
Packer’s body had been discovered inside his home on March 13. The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation, according to San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata.
In a statement released Saturday, Mata said, “Any allegation of illegal drug use by a San Jose police officer is concerning.”
The police chief said, “There are no free passes for police officers, and we will not make excuses. When an officer violates the public trust, on or off duty, I will hold them accountable.”
The police chief said the full details regarding Packer’s death are still not known and are being investigated by the Milpitas Police Department, with the San Jose department’s full cooperation.
“This behavior is not something we condone, and we will continue to assist Milpitas PD with their investigation,” Mata said.
The police chief noted that grief counselors will be made available to the department’s officers and the counselors will revisit the importance of participation in wellness programs.
“We have already scheduled substance abuse prevention skills training for our personnel, not just for themselves, but also for recognizing the signs for those around us, and how to get help,” he said. “We will not waver from keeping our officers well, not just physically but emotionally.”
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