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Detective Sergeant James G. Hoopes

James G. Hoopes was born on August 16, 1972, in Atlantic City, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ and was raised in Ventnor, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ.  He was a graduate of Holy Spirit High School in 1990 and Albright College in 1994.  At Albright, he played basketball, setting the school’s rebounding record, and was a member of the Albright College All-Century Team.  He later obtained his Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University.  He played professional basketball with the Washington Generals and went on to teach Spanish and coach basketball at Holy Spirit High School while working summers at the Greenhouse in Margate, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ.

Detective Sergeant Hoopes enlisted in the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police on November 13, 1998, as a member of the 118th Class.  He served in various Troop “A” Stations, the State Police Training Bureau and the Casino Gaming Bureau. His service with the New Jersey State Police was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty and faithful and honorable devotion to the principles of the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police.

On September 12, 2012, Detective Sergeant Hoops died suddenly of a fatal heart attack while training on the Atlantic City boardwalk.  He served 13 years and 10 months with the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police.

He is survived by his mother, sister, wife and two sons.  He was 40 years old.