UPDATE: A Fitting Tribute To A Much-Loved Ocean Gate Cop

by Patricia A. Miller

It will be five years this Thanksgiving that Ocean Gate Patrolman Jayson Marles died in a fiery accident on the Garden State Parkway. Ocean Gate has not forgotten him and probably never will.

The affable young senior patrolman was working the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2010. He didn’t hesitate to volunteer for a special DWI patrol after his shift. The hours ran from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Nov. 25 - Thanksgiving morning.

“At approximately 3:08 A.M. on November 25, 2010, after completing the special patrol enforcement detail Jay left Police Headquarters for the last time,” the police department’s website states.

So after his shift ended, Marles, 32, headed up the Garden State Parkway northbound to his Point Pleasant home he shared with his wife and two young children.

But he never made it. A drunken, drug-addled driver behind the wheel of a BMW struck his Jeep from behind at a high rate of speed, sending it into a guardrail. The car overturned and caught fire. Jay did not survive.

Ocean Gate officials already named a street after the popular young patrolman, who was well-known and well-liked by the community. Now they want to do something more.

They want to build and name a playground after the young officer.

The borough purchased the playground equipment and Where Angels Play will donate other items and provide some strong arms to help build the Jay Marles Memorial Park. The playground will go up on the site of the old playground at East Long Branch and Wildwood Avenues, Mayor Paul J. Kennedy.

The organization is coming to Ocean Gate next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a ribbon cutting ceremony planning for Aug. 2.

“Jay’s two kids are going to be in hand along with Jay’s mom and step-dad,” Kennedy said. ”it’s going to be a great weekend - hopefully the weather will be good - and an emotional one as well.”

Jay Marles photo is still up on the Ocean Gate Police Department’s website, four and a half years after his death. That’s where it will stay.

The Bayville Fire Department is holding a fundraiser for the memorial park tonight at the firehouse on Route 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Food, drinks, prizes and music will be provided. A $26 donation is requested.

Photo credit: Ocean Gate Police Department