Tribute to New Jersey safety professionals who died from COVID during pandemic
SAYREVILLE, New Jersey (WABC) -- There was a moving tribute on Wednesday to safety professionals who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey.
Law enforcement made a beautiful procession to Epic Church in Sayreville to memorialize those who died.
Hundreds of vehicles from law enforcement agencies jumped at the chance to honor the 45 public safety officers who worked through the pandemic and tragically lost their lives to COVID.
On the stage inside the church were the photos of those being honored.
The families of those lost were in attendance and would lay wreaths in honor of their loved ones.
"In those early days of the pandemic when almost all of us stayed home, the women and men in blue they went out they kept us safe, new rules, new orders, it didn't matter they were there to keep us safe from truly a once in a lifetime event. And they did it, and for many of them, they did it and paid the ultimate sacrifice," said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
It took nearly 45 minutes for all of the vehicles to make their way from the procession to the church.
"This was a way to come together and call it a proper tribute, give them the sendoff that they didn't get during the pandemic. So completely honored to be here to pay respects to those, not only those that we lost but their families too, who are just as much a part of service and sacrifice as we all are," said Col. Patrick Callahan, New Jersey State Police.
The following victims of COVID-19 were honored:
-Latasha Andrews, New Jersey State Police
-Luis Andujar, Cumberland City Corrections
-Robert Bell, Burlington County Corrections
-Vincent Butler, New Jersey Department of Corrections
-Irving Callender III, Newark Police Department
-Richard Campbell, Edison Division of Fire
-Michael Clegg, Newark Police Department
-Michael Connors, Newark Police Department
-Zeb Craig, Hudson County Corrections
-Christopher Cronin, Old Bridge Police Department
-Gerard Eick, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office
-Rocco Ferraro, New Jersey State Police
-David Formeza, Perth Amboy Police Department
-Daniel Francis, Newark Police Department
-Tolbert Furr, Newark Police Department
-Maria & Dwayne Gibbs, New Jersey Department of Corrections
-Joseph Goertz, Lakewood Police Department
-Matthew Horton, Ocean County Sheriffs Department
-Vincent Intiso, East Orange Fire Department
-Edward Jamandron, New Jersey Department of Corrections
-Daniel Krupa, New Jersey Department of Correction
-Brian McAdams Sr., Newark Police Department
-Robert McCormack, New Jersey Department of Corrections
-Richard T. McKnight, Newark Police Department
-Robert Miller, Clifton Police Department
-Hector Moya, Newark Police Department
-Alterek Patterson, Bedminster Police Department
-Al Mustafa Pearson, Essex County Corrections
-Nelson Perdomo, New Jersey Department of Corrections
-James Peri, Bloomfield Police Department
-John Phelan, Paterson Police Department
-Matthew Razukas, New Jersey State Police
-Charles Roberts, Glen Ridge Police Department
-Alex Ruperto, Union City Police Department
-Julius Sabo, New Jersey State Police
-Francesco Scorpo, Paterson Police Department
-Marcus Thomas, Newark Police Department
-Israel Tolentino, Passaic Fire Department
-Matthew Vogel, Hudson County Sheriff's
-Bernard Wadell Sr., Hudson County Corrections
-Gary Walker, Bloomingdale Police Department
-Lowery Ware, Department of Homeland Security
-Erick Whitaker, New Jersey Department of Corrections
-Shawn Williams, Hudson County Corrections
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