WEST MILFORD-More than 300 residents, including virtually all of the police department turned out Wednesday to honor one of their own, Patrol Officer Gregory E. Post who died unexpectedly on Sept. 25. The departmental funeral was held at Cedar Heights Cemetery on Ridge Road, following services at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church on Union Valley Road. The Passaic County Sheriff's Department provided police protection to allow Post's fellow officers to attend the funeral, a departmental spokeswoman said. Post, a 32-year veteran of the West Milford Police Department, was found unconscious on his front lawn by a neighbor at 6:52 p.m. Police and other emergency personnel were dispatched and commenced cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but to no avail. Post was pronounced dead at Chilton Memorial Hospital, the victim of an apparent heart attack, police said. Post, 55, was a three-time recipient of the department's Honorable Service award. "He received the awards for key roles he played in various arrests," said Police Chief James R. Dykstra. A lifelong resident of the town, Post served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the police force. "He was an individual who had a very caring personality. Someone who, when he was at the scene, you knew could be relied on to do the job," Dykstra recalled this week. Even though police work often involves confrontations with the public, Dykstra said Post had "Lots of letters, even a letter complimenting him (Post) on his professional approach even after the writer received a summons." "He had an even temperament, never blew his top," the chief recalled. "He stood out in that regard." Post was studying for sergeant's exam and "had been on the sergeant's list many times, but hadn't made it to top of list." The veteran officer also served "On the marine police unit," said the chief. "He was one of the very first I asked to serve there. He was trained by the Sea Girt Marine State Police for four weeks. He also was a SCUBA diver. A pillar of our department. One of those people everybody care for and nobody disliked. He was also a good friend," Chief Dykstra noted. "That's the guy you'd want to back you up, and he certainly was there for everyone."