Former prosecutor’s office investigator, Newark police analyst dies from coronavirus – NJ.com

A 51-year-old who worked as a criminal intelligence analyst for the Newark police died Monday after succumbing to a battle with the coronavirus, officials said.

Daniel “Danny” Francis worked in the Newark Police Department’s Major Crimes Division as an analyst, tracking patterns and data to help cops do their jobs more effectively. Although not a sworn officer among Newark’s ranks, he worked with the East Orange Police Department and later became an Essex County Prosecutor’s Office investigator.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said Francis was a careful and dedicated worker.

“The Newark Police Division relied greatly upon the professionalism and technical expertise of Daniel “Danny” Francis, who was meticulous in his work ethic in the Criminal Intelligence Unit,” Ambrose said. “Chief of Police Darnell Henry and I, along with each member of the Department of Public Safety, stand with Danny’s family in mourning his passing.”

Francis rose to the rank of lieutenant in the prosecutor’s office and retired from there in 2017 before working for the Newark police, Ambrose said. He served nearly 16 years at the prosecutor’s office in different departments, including the Narcotics, Special Victims and Homicide Unit.

He leaves behind a wife and four kids: two adult children, a college student and a 6-year-old.

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Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico.