Richard Berdnik

Richard H. Berdnik devoted more than forty years of his life to public safety and to the people of Passaic County. A Clifton native, he built a career in policing that began with the Clifton Police Department and later led to his service as the 49th Sheriff of Passaic County — a role in which he worked to modernize the sheriff’s office and serve his community with commitment and professionalism.

Colleagues and neighbors recall Sheriff Berdnik as a familiar presence in local law‑enforcement circles: a manager who cared about the men and women who worked with him and a public official who took seriously the responsibilities of office. He was known for steady leadership during challenging times and for a long record of public service in Clifton and across the county.

Richard’s life was also rooted in family. He was married to his wife, Monica, and was a father to four adult children; family and community were central to his life. Those who gathered to honor him in late January 2024 remembered not only his badge and title but the everyday human moments that shaped him — the long public career, his connections to neighbors, and the relationships he kept over many years of service.

The community mourned his passing on January 23, 2024. Services were planned for the week that followed, allowing family, friends, and colleagues to offer their condolences and to celebrate a life spent in service. In remembering Richard Berdnik, the emphasis rests on a long career of commitment to public safety and on the family and community ties that mattered most to him.

For those who wish to honor his memory, the family requested donations to organizations noted in the funeral notice. Richard H. Berdnik’s years of service left a lasting mark on Passaic County and on the many people whose lives he touched through his work and presence in the community.