Loses fight to brain cancer at the age of 38.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: An Indian American police officer has passed away after losing a length battle with cancer.
Madhu Chohan, an officer with the Hoboken, New Jersey, Police Department, joined the force in 2008, becoming the first Indian American to ever become a police officer in Hoboken. He grew up in the area since the age of two, when his parents emigrated there from India.
He attended and graduated from Hoboken High School and attended the police and correctional academies there, as well. But in March of 2012, Chohan was diagnosed with brain cancer, and was considered terminal due to the cancer already being at such an advanced stage.
“He was Hoboken’s first Indian police officer, [and] we will always remember his service and dedication to Hoboken,” said Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, extending “my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Chohan.”
Chohan is survived by his 14 year-old daughter, Ariyana, to whom he was devoted to and even taught Aikido martial arts. His sister, Falguni Chohan, said that her brother would often try to attend family events in spite of his illness, and was also infamous throughout his extended family for being a notorious prankster.
“He was such a great-hearted person, such a great big heart,” she was quoted as saying by the Star Ledger. “He cared about other people more than he did for himself. He put on a strong face for the family.”
Chohan’s condition deteriorated severely in his final days, with him eventually saying “No more. I can’t do it.” He passed away earlier this week in a hospice in Maryland, at the young age of just 38, surrounded by his family. A police funeral procession was held the following day.
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com