DeJon Packer, former San Jose State football running back and San Jose police officer died Sunday at 24-years-old.
The circumstances of Packer’s death are currently unknown but under investigation by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office and Milpitas Police Department, according to a Monday San Jose Police Department statement.
Milpitas police Lt. Tyler Jamison did not identify Packer as the person who died, but confirmed that officers responded to a report of a man unresponsive in his home on Daniel Court in Milpitas, where public records show Packer resided, according to a Monday Mercury News article.
Jamison said the man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the same article.
Packer joined the San Jose Police Department after graduating from the police academy one year ago, according to the SJPD Twitter statement.
Former and current members of the SJSU athletics department, including athletics director Jeff Konya, said Packer will be missed by the community.
Konya said in a Monday statement that Packer had a “bright future.”
“He is a recent alum who seemingly had a bright future in the San Jose Police Department. Everyone I have spoken to expressed how well liked he was,” he said. “We send our deepest condolences to the Packer family, the San Jose Police Department, and the entire SJSU community.”
Jabari Carr, SJSU alumnus and former wide receiver, said he saw Packer as a “community hero” because of his contributions to the university and the city of San Jose as a police officer.
“He [was a hero] by working in the community as a teenager through adulthood,” Carr said in a Twitter message. “I’m honored to have witnessed his journey where he bet on himself.”
Carr said Packer will be missed by the community.
“Seeing a local kid do that is an inspiration for us all,” he said in a Twitter message. “ ‘D Pack’ will be missed dearly by many.”
Brent Brennan, SJSU football head coach, also expressed his condolences following Packer’s early death.
“He made a huge [affect] on our program on and off the field and I am still processing the fact that he is gone way too soon,” he said in a Monday statement. “My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and our team is still in shock. We will miss you Pack!”
Packer played for the Spartan football team in 2018 and 2019, scoring the game-winning 19-yard touchdown against the University of Arkansas in September 2019, according to an SJSU athletics webpage.
The 31-24 win against the Arkansas Razorbacks was the Spartans’ first time beating an opponent in the Southeastern Conference, one of the biggest athletic conferences in the country, according to a Sept. 21, 2019 Mercury News article.
Packer also scored the game-winning touchdown in a game against Fresno State in the regular-season finale, according to the same SJSU athletics webpage.
During Packer’s 2019 season, he was the team’s leading rusher with 125 carries for 567 yards, 11 touchdowns and 27 catches for 270 receiving yards.
Packer was also a “standout student-athlete” graduating from Gunderson High School in San Jose and continuing his football journey at San Jose City College before being recruited by SJSU, according to SJSU athletics webpage.
Former SJSU defensive tackle Boogie Roberts said Packer was an inspiring player who was devoted to his family.
“His determination was so inspiring to me,” Roberts said in a Twitter direct message. “He worked his tail off to change his life and also for his family.”
Roberts said he felt connected to Packer, who brightened other’s days with his smile and personality.
“[Packer] was an amazing person, a real brother to me,” Roberts said. “I watched him walk on to SJSU and come to work everyday with a smile on his face that would light up any room he walked in.”
