Crime & Safety

Moorestown Cop Killed in Accident Was 'Humorous Guy'

"You have to remember Craig in that light. That's what helps us deal with this," says Lt. Lee Lieber of Ptlm. Craig Berner's passing.

Moorestown Police Ptlm. Craig Berner was a lighthearted guy with a serious job, whose trademark laugh could often be heard throughout the station.

Berner, a father of three and 26-year veteran of the force, was killed Saturday night in an off-duty motorcycle accident. He will be remembered by friends and colleagues as “a humorous guy ... who could make light of a serious situation,” Lt. Lee Lieber said Monday.

“You have to remember Craig in that light. That’s what helps us deal with this,” said Lieber.

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Berner was the type of officer—and the type of man—who was always willing to lend a hand, said Lieber. He was a longtime firearms instructor, field training officer and served for many years as a traffic officer/accident investigator as well, roles that were “over and above his patrol duties.”

Because of his good nature, Berner was also quick to defuse tense situations, an invaluable skill for a police officer, Lieber remarked.

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“It’s a big loss to us,” he said. “We’re a small department. As police officers, you spend a lot of your time together … It affects us deeply.”

Berner was driving his motorcycle east on Westfield Road, between Stanwick Glen Road and Salem Road, around 10 p.m. Saturday when he lost control, overturned and was thrown into the westbound lane, where he was struck by a Ford F-150 heading west. Lieber said Berner was an experienced motorcyclist, who occasionally assisted some of the department’s younger officers who also rode.

The driver of the truck was William McGovern, 60, of Mount Laurel. McGovern is a detective with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, according to state police. He was off-duty at the time of the accident.

Because of McGovern's involvement, Moorestown Police and the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office requested that the Camden County Prosecutor's Office be brought in on the investigation.

Berner joined the department in 1987. He was a 1979 graduate of Moorestown High School, according to the class of ‘79’s web page, and also a former Marine.

Lieber said the department is still processing the loss, and officials haven’t even had a chance to discuss replacing Berner. In time though, the department will look to fill the vacancy left by his passing.

There is currently no information on funeral services for Berner. Stay with Patch for more details as they become available.

Did you know Officer Berner? Leave a comment below or email rob.scott@patch.com to share your memories.

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