WAYNE -- A Pompton Lakes police officer was killed early Wednesday when he struck a deer and was thrown from his Harley Davidson while driving home from work on a township road, police said.

Peter J. Kamper Jr., 40, of Wayne, was driving east on Lakeside Avenue at 12:06 a.m. when he collided with a deer, after crossing into Wayne from Pompton Lakes, police said. He had just finished a fill-in shift working 7p.m. to 11 p.m., Pompton Lakes Police Chief Moises Agosto said.

The 13-year veteran was assigned to the patrol division but helped the department keep compliant with state guidelines and was lead fire arms instructor, Agosto said.

"He was a jack-of-all-trades," the chief said. "He's going to be missed dearly."

Kamper's 6-foot 7-inch stature could be intimidating, Agosto said. "But as big as he was, that's how big his heart was."

Kamper was a dedicated supporter of the New Jersey Special Olympics. "He would go every weekend when they had the Olympic Games ... for years and years," Agosto said.

Kamper also participated in the Polar Bear Plunge, which raises money for Special Olympics. He was an avid motorcyclist who had been riding most of his life, Agosto said.

"Pete did a lot of things that people aren't aware of," the chief said. "He was very involved in the community and knew what community policing was all about."

Nearby residents heard the crash and found Kamper unresponsive, Wayne Police said. Two Pompton Lakes Police Officers also responded to the scene, then learned it was one of their own.

"To see their fellow officer there is very traumatic," Agosto said, adding that grief counselors will be available to the department.

Kamper was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson where he was pronounced dead.

The crash is under investigation by the Wayne police. Anyone with information is asked to call 201-633-3520.

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.