David L. Kurz

1960 - 2017

David L. Kurz

David L. Kurz, a decorated Army combat veteran who served 24 years as an officer in the Fort Lee Police Department, died Tuesday, June 20, after a battle with cancer. He was 56.

During his career in Fort Lee, Dave had been assigned to the Patrol Division and the Detective Bureau General Investigations. Police Chief Keith M. Bendul shared:

"Dave was a Field Training Officer for many years, training most if not all of the Police Officers. He was an Assistant Team Leader and instructor with our Emergency Services Unit, an original member of our Honor Guard, and Emergency Medical Technician. He has been recognized by the Fort Lee Police Merit Board 12 times: including 2 Unit Citations for Valor, 2 Meritorious Service Awards, in addition to being awarded his Master Operator Pin from the Emergency Services Unit."

Born David Lovett Kurz on October 27, 1960, in New Rochelle, New York, Dave grew up in Leonia, New Jersey, and was a 1979 graduate of Leonia High School. He earned a degree in political science from Northeastern University in 1984.

Dave enlisted in the Army in 1986 and served as a sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Combat Infantry, Heavy Antiarmor Weapons. He served in Panama Operation Just Cause and Saudi Arabia Operation Desert Shield (receiving the Kuwait Liberation Medal). He also received the SW Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star and the National Defense Service Medal.

Following his military service, Dave graduated from the New York City Transit Police academy, in 1993, and worked briefly as a police officer for Metro North before joining the Fort Lee Police Department, serving 24 years.

During this time, Dave had other far-reaching interests and experiences. He performed with the Player's Guild of Leonia, often with his father, Jeffery W. Kurz, and became a dedicated practitioner of martial arts, developing an expertise in Aikido. He achieved the rank of Ni-Dan (second degree black belt) and through his merits, teaching, and mentoring was further elevated to San-Dan (third degree black belt posthumously). He was exemplary in his interaction with students.

Predeceased by his father, Dave is survived by his mother, Janis Georgia (Grimes) Kurz, a sister, Nancy (Kurz) Wood and brother Jeffery W. (Bill) Kurz, Jr., sons Ryan Kurz and Nick Matthews, daughter Michele Schicchi and grandchildren Charles, Alexandra and Payton. He was married for 22 years to Sheryle Kurz, and lived with partner Lisa Cicalese for the past few years.

His loved ones and friends remember Dave for his sense of humor, quick wit and kindness. He will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held at the Frank Patti Funeral Home in Fort Lee on Monday, June 26, beginning at 11 AM. All are invited and feel free to wear your uniform of choice be it dress casual, Police, Military, or Dave's favorite, the Hawaiian shirt.