N.J. Trooper Who Died Left Behind Baby Boy, Fiancee And A Rich Life

Sean Cullen was about to reach another big milestone in his life.

He was going to get married.

Nine months ago, his baby boy was born.

Now the 31-year-old New Jersey State Trooper is gone, killed by a car during a traffic stop. He leaves behind his fiancée and baby boy, as well as his rich, young life with many milestones and accomplishments.

Among them: He was an all-American wrestler at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania and was named to the school's Athletics Hall of Fame.

He emigrated from Ireland when he was 3 years old.

Besides that, he was a guy everybody liked.

"He was the funniest, happiest guy," said Mount Holly Capt. Rich Spitler, who worked with Cullen from 2007 to 2012.

The Cinnaminson resident was responding to the scene of a crash and a car fire on southbound 295, milepost 23.4 in Deptford Township around 8:15 p.m. Monday night when he was struck by another vehicle.

Family members and numerous troopers and law enforcement personnel from several different agencies held vigil late into the night at the hospital.

Then, sometime during the early morning hours, Col. Rick Fuentes broke the news to those gathered in the waiting room, officials said.

Cullen was a member of the 154th State Police Class. He was stationed at Bellmawr Station and had been a trooper about two years. He was a graduate of Cinnaminson High School, police said.

"Cinnaminson Township sends our thoughts and prayers on the loss of Trooper Sean Cullen," township officials posted on the township's official Facebook page on Tuesday.

Cullen was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1985, emigrating to the U.S. from Ireland in March 1988, according to the State Police.

Cullen graduated from Cinnaminson High School in 2003, according to Cinnaminson officials. He won district wrestling championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and was the first 100-win wrestler in the school's history. He is sixth on the school's all-time wrestling wins list.

Cullen was a 2005 All-American wrestler at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa., according to the school. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 2007.

He was 34th person associated with the wrestling program inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame, finishing off an All-American career with a 94-30 record, according to Lycoming.

Cullen finished his career eighth in school history with 94 wins and ninth with 26 pins. A three-time NCAA qualifier, he earned All-American honors by taking sixth at 133 points in the 2005 NCAA Championships, helping the Warriors to a 22nd-place finish at the meet.

As a senior, he posted one of only 20 30-win seasons in school history, posting a 31-4 mark, as he crossed 20 wins for the third time in his career. Cullen's 94-30 record ranked eighth in school history.

After finishing college, Cullen worked as a Class II Police Officer in Sea Isle City and Mount Holly Police Departments. Additionally, he served as a patrolman for the Westampton Police Department, Burlington County, N.J., for two years.

Cullen enlisted in the New Jersey State Police on August 29, 2014, as a member of the 154th Recruit Class. He was assigned to Troop "A" where he served at both Bunea Vista and Bellmawr Stations.

Spitler said there a lot of the officers who were very close to him, and the group and Cullen "did everything" to stay together and get together after Cullen left in 2012.

Spitler said he was the kind of guy who could find something funny to say, or do, to help bring levity to tough situation. He helped make the tough of job of being a cop a little easier.

"He was the funniest, happiest guy," he said. "Every situation he encountered, he turned it around with a smile."

Soon after he left, Cullen found even more happiness in his life. He had a son, who is now 9 months old, and he got engaged. It was not clear when he planned to get married.

Cullen is survived by his fiancé, 9-month-old son, mother, father, two brothers, and a sister. Cullen's brother is also a New Jersey State Police trooper.

Cullen's sudden death drew condolences and support for state police and community members from state officials.

"Every day, the men and women of the New Jersey State Police put their lives on the line to protect our citizens," Gov. Chris Christie said in a statement issued early Tuesday afternoon. "The sudden and tragic loss of New Jersey State Trooper Sean Cullen reminds us how fragile life truly is and the dangers police officers face daily on the job. As we mourn his passing, Mary Pat and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Trooper Cullen’s loved ones and his New Jersey State Police family during this sad time.”

It is the second time in three months that a state trooper was killed in a traffic accident.

Trooper Eli McCarson died in a single vehicle traffic accident while responding to a domestic dispute in December.

Photos: State Police, Lycoming College