N.J. Assemblyman Alex DeCroce collapses, dies in Statehouse after long legislative session

TRENTON — Longtime Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, the leading Republican of the state’s lower house who represented Morris County for 23 years, collapsed and died in a bathroom inside the Statehouse late Monday night, just moments after the 214th Legislature held its final voting session, according to legislators.

DeCroce, 75, of Parsippany, began serving the 26th Legislative District in the Assembly in 1989 and was the Republican minority leader since 2003, according to his Statehouse biography. He served as deputy speaker of the Assembly from 1994 to 2001.

State Police Lt. Stephen Jones said a legislator died shortly before 11:30 p.m. in a first-floor restroom of the Statehouse. He said a physician on hand attended to the legislator but he was found to be dead.

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Gov. Chris Christie — wearing a suit jacket over a Notre Dame T-shirt, no socks and loafers — showed up at the Statehouse at midnight with four staffers. He hugged Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver outside party offices and then held a meeting with her and Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

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Rest of article including Gov. Chris Christie's statement here: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/nj_lawmaker_alex_decroce_colla.html