Florida police officer accused of stealing from dying man during Hurricane Irma state of emergency

Deputy Jason Cooke was allegedly caught on camera by the victim's family

A police officer has been charged with robbing the home of a dying pensioner during Hurricane Irma, after he was allegedly caught on camera by the victim's family.

Deputy Jason Cooke was filmed taking pain relief drugs from 85-year-old Moe Rosoff’s house in Palm Beach County, Florida.

His elderly victim was not home at the time, as he had earlier been taken to hospital by Mr Cooke's colleagues who had discovered him passed out on his bedroom floor. He later passed away.

The officers had been alerted to the fact that something might have been wrong with him, because his family had been unable to pick up any movement on an indoor surveillance camera they had installed in his home.

Mr Cooke, who was not involved in the initial investigation, later came to the home and was caught on the indoor camera going through the house.

The officer went from room to room before appearing to pick up two containers in the kitchen and emptying the contents into his pocket, then taking a look inside kitchen cabinets and draws. It was later discovered that he took painkillers including Tramadol.

Mr Rossoff's sons, Jay and Steven Rosoff, watched the entire scene unfold on camera, which was livestreaming into his North Carolina home.

"We were outraged and disgusted when we viewed this," the family said in a statement to CNN, which originally reported the story.

The Rosoff brothers then contacted the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, which opened an investigation.

After he was arrested and charged with burglary and grand theft with a firearm, Mr Cooke has now reportedly resigned from the department.

Investigators said admitted taking Tramadol and other medications without submitting them for evidence.

His lawyer, told CNN his client’s actions were “a perfect example of the opioid epidemic” and that Mr Cooke had faced “traumatising” moments in his personal life and as a police officer.

"The video speaks for itself, and it highlights the epidemic we're dealing with. People who have good intentions, good people, can get hooked on these medications,” he said.

Mr Cooke has been released on $28,000 (£22,000) bail and is due back in court on 20 November.