Francis Rooney served with Cinnaminson police and the Camden County Sheriff's Department.
CINNAMINSON TWP. -- Township police are mourning the loss of one of their own, but acting fast to help the family of Francis "Frank" Rooney in this trying time just before the holidays.
Retired Cinnaminson police Sgt. Francis X. Rooney in this provided photo. Rooney, who died Monday at the age of 50 during his first day of work at a new job, was both a "very good cop" and a "great family man," Cinnaminson police Public Safety Director Michael King said.
"This is something he would want us to do," King said of a GoFundMe page launched to help Rooney's survivors, who include a wife and six children, ages 7 to 17. "It's an important thing to do."
Rooney was a former Camden County Sheriff's Department officer and finished his career as a detective sergeant with the Cinnaminson Police Department in Feb. 2015 after 27 years of service, according to his obituary. Citing the family's request for privacy, King declined to comment on the cause of death and the type of job the late Marlton resident had taken.
"Frank served over 28 years in law enforcement and was well-known and respected within the Cinnaminson community and will sadly be missed," the GoFundMe page reads.
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On the GoFundMe page launched on behalf of Rooney's wife, Cinnaminson police ask for the public's help with donations to help cover "unexpected funeral expenses and financial strain suddenly placed upon them" just before Christmas.
"Cinnaminson really does take care of their own," King said Thursday, adding that he hopes the Christmas spirit rings true and members of the public are able to assist Rooney's family with donations.
Donations may be made through the GoFundMe page, a check payable to The Cinnaminson Police Association with "The Frank Rooney Fund" in the memo section or at the Breakfast with Santa event on Sunday Dec. 11 at The Merion, in Cinnaminson.
According to his obituary, a viewing will be held on Dec. 11 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Bradley Funeral Home, Route 73 and Evesham Road, in Marlton, and from 9 to 10:45 a.m. on Dec. 12 at Mater Ecclesiae Roman Catholic Church, 261 Cross Keys Road, in Berlin.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.