HILLSBOROUGH TWP. -- James V. Maguire, a paramedic with the Hillsborough Rescue Squad, died in the line of duty on Monday.

James V. Maguire (courtesy Hillsborough EMS Facebook page)

Maguire had responded to a call near his home on Sunday afternoon and performed CPR for an extended period of time. Less than 20 hours later, he apparently suffered a heart attack, the squad announced. He was 57.

Visiting hours will be on Sunday, 2-6 p.m. A Mass will be held Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, 34 Yorktown Road in Hillsborough.

"Jim was our coworker and our friend," squad Chief David Gwin said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

"It's a very difficult time for all of us, particularly the crews that responded to Jim's house on Monday. We deeply appreciate the outpouring of sympathy and support from around the state as well as the offers of coverage from neighboring squads."

Maguire's "entire adult life was dedicated to public service -- as a United States Marine, as an EMT and paramedic, and as a police officer," Gwin said.

He joined the Hillsborough Rescue Squad in 1979 and was active with it ever since. "I had the pleasure of working with Jim for over 35 years," Gwin said.

Maguire also worked as a paramedic at Hunterdon Medical Center in addition to working on the Hillsborough EMS day crew.

He held many positions serving the Hillsborough community over the years. He was a Somerset County sheriff's officer and then served as a police officer with the Hillsborough Township Police Department from 1984 until his retirement in 2008.

During his tenure with the police he held many positions, including patrolman, detective, hostage negotiator, police liaison to the township Office of Emergency Management, and undercover narcotics officer.

"He was quite an iconic man in Hillsborough," Police Lt. Darren Powell said on Wednesday. "He was a great guy. He was a hard-working officer and active in the Police Benevolent Association."

Powell noted that Maguire "was a dedicated public servant in many capacities," very active with EMS services and with the township Office of Emergency Management. "I think he delivered a handful of babies," Powell said.

Following the September 2001 terrorist attacks, Maguire worked on the FBI's World Trade Center Task Force's forensic unit. Afterward he was appointed as Hillsborough Township's deputy OEM coordinator and Hillsborough's first municipal counter-terrorism coordinator, training other officers in counter-terrorism techniques.

"His loss leaves a hole that will never be filled," Gwin said.

Hillsborough Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. It is at 796 Route 206, Hillsborough 08844.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.