Awarded Evesham police officer, 43, dies after battle with rare cancer

An Evesham police officer died Aug. 3 after an ongoing battle with a rare cancer.

Det. Jared Halpern, 43, was surrounded by his family as he succumbed to his second battle with "an extremely rare germ cell cancer," according to Evesham Township police.

"While so many came to know Jared for his incredible strength, resilience, and determination throughout his fight, those who had the privilege of serving alongside him knew that his greatest legacy extends far beyond his illness," Evesham police said in a social media post.

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As a New Jersey native, Halpern graduated from East Brunswick High School before earning a bachelor's in criminal justice from Rutgers University.

Halpern spent 21 years in the Evesham Township Police Department.

In 2019, Halpern was named Officer of the Month after tracking down a suicidal man and coaxing him to safety. In 2021 and 2025, Halpern was given the police department's Warrior Award for his "unwavering strength and perseverance."

After beating his first fight with cancer, doctors discovered a cancerous mass growing on a vein near his heart in 2025. According to an old post from Evesham police, "the growth on his vein was a rare form of sarcoma that has never been seen or studied before."

Throughout his fight with cancer, Halpern underwent multiple rounds of treatment and two open-heart surgeries.

"While Jared's medical journey is part of his story, it is not what defines him," Evesham police said in the old post. "What truly defines him is his dedication to his family, his passion to return to his work and his outright resistance to lose."

Police from numerous local departments — including Lumberton Township police, Collingswood police, Gloucester Township police and Delran Township police — took to social media to acknowledge the loss of Halpern and recognize his work as an officer.

Halpern is survived by his wife, Jillian Halpern, and his two children, Paige and Hunter.

"Jared's courage, kindness, and selfless service will never be forgotten," Evesham police wrote in a social media post. "His legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the officers he mentored, the community he protected, and the family he loved so deeply.

"Rest easy, Detective Halpern. We have the watch from here."

Risha Inaganti writes about trending topics across South Jersey for the Courier-Post. If you have a story she should tell, email her at [email protected]. Subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Awarded Evesham police officer, 43, dies after battle with rare cancer