Jersey City dedicates new police station to officer slain one year ago

JERSEY CITY (WABC) -- Police officers and family members of a New Jersey detective who was killed one year ago Monday are coming together to remember Melvin Santiago.

The 23-year old was only six months into his career when he was shot in the parking lot of a Jersey City Walgreen's pharmacy while responding to a report of an armed robbery.

Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop, members of the Municipal Council, Public Safety Director James Shea, Police Chief Philip Zacche, and members of the Santiago family will join together to dedicate the new West District Police Station in his honor.

The $11 million, state-of-the-art facility is the first new police station built in Jersey City in more than 50 years and is scheduled to open in the next several weeks.

Many officers and relatives gathered in the parking lot of the pharmacy at the exact time of the incident Monday morning to pay their respects.

The man responsible for his murder, Lawrence Campbell, was shot and killed by police after what authorities said was an ambush.

He had stolen the gun of a security guard and waited for police to arrive before he started shooting.

Santiago had requested to work in the city's western section, where much of Jersey City's violent crime is concentrated.

He was promoted posthumously to the rank of detective and awarded the police department's medal of honor.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)