Tragic Loss: Ocean County Police Academy Cadet Passes Away

Teddy Golubowski, a Toms River native and full-time cadet at the Ocean County Police Academy,

Weeks after receiving a diagnosis of a sudden and aggressive form of cancer, an ambitious New Jersey police cadet who was just days away from graduating the academy passed tragically, according to officials and family members.

According to a statement posted on GoFundMe, Teddy Golubowski, a resident of Toms River and a full-time cadet at the Ocean County Police Academy, passed away quietly on Thursday morning, June 26, surrounded by his loved ones.

The community was taken aback when he received a rare cancer diagnosis just weeks later.

According to the GoFundMe that was started for the Golubowski family last month, Teddy was admitted to the hospital on May 27 after experiencing lethargy, pallor, and an inability to get rid of a cold. Within hours, scans showed lumps on his belly, lungs, and liver, and medical professionals determined that he had a rare and severe type of metastatic cancer.

At Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Hospital in Brick, he had surgery to implant a port and started receiving emergency treatment, including dialysis, oxygen assistance, and blood transfusions. But according to the gofundme, his health quickly deteriorated.

Teddy Golubowski

Teddy was renowned for being at the top of his class prior to his diagnosis, and just one week before being admitted to the hospital, he ran a sub-6-minute mile according to his loved ones.

According to the gofundme, he has been "working tirelessly to better himself academically and physically to prepare for the responsibilities that come with working in law enforcement." "He has been a teammate, leader, brother, and friend for countless years. He never hesitates to help those in need."

But on Thursday morning, Teddy's fight came to a devastating end.

According to the campaign, "it became evident earlier this week that his liver was irreversibly failing, and that his other organs would follow suit." "He passed away in the company of those he loved and who loved him, breathing on his own, without the aid of a ventilator, and without any pain or discomfort."

In a statement released Thursday by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Bradley D. Billhimer confirmed Golubowski's death and stated that he was scheduled to join the Seaside Heights Police Department after graduating.

"Teddy was a full-time cadet in the Ocean County Police Academy and was set to join the Seaside Heights Police Department, the post says."Teddy received a rare and serious cancer diagnosis shortly before he was scheduled to graduate from the Academy. During this extremely trying time, Teddy's family and friends are in our prayers and thoughts."