Our condolences to the wife and daughters of an Ocean County Sheriff's detective who died on Tuesday, Jan 21, after a battle with ALS.

Phil Sickinger, 43, of West Creek,  was a 19-year veteran of the sheriff's office, until he was forced to retire due to his ALS.

He also was a member of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team for 15 years.

Sheriff's Officer's Battle With ALS

Detective Phil Sickinger, 39 was diagnosed in January 2020 with ALS.

Sickinger had been suffering from Lyme Disease, and, in the course of his treatment, he was eventually diagnosed with ALS.

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

A fundraiser write-up for Sickinger from 2021 explained how Sickinger's health declined.

"The detective’s symptoms began to change and his ability to do things physically became limited. Among the things he was not able to do as he had done before, included his job with the Sheriff’s Office and playing with his daughters.

He had difficulty using his arms, writing and typing. He had to use a specially made recliner that elevated him out of his seat."

In a 2021 radio interview, Sickinger talked about his limitations because of the ALS.

“I can’t really use my arms, can’t write, it’s hard to type, I have to use a walker to walk. In our house, we have a chairlift for me to get up the steps, I have a special recliner that lifts me up out of the seat".

 

Phil Sickinger's Family

The West Creek resident is survived by his wife of 14 years, Diana, and their two daughters, Olivia and Harper, according to Sickinger's obituary.

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