Crime & Safety
Sign Unveiled Naming Route 195 Howell Stretch For Fallen Trooper
New Jersey State Trooper Marc K. Castellano, who was killed in the line of duty in 2010, set an example for others, officials said.
HOWELL, NJ — Nearly every day on his way to Trenton, Gov. Phil Murphy passes a memorial on the side of Route 195. It marks the spot where New Jersey State Trooper Marc K. Castellano was killed eight years ago.
On Friday, Murphy joined members of Castellano's family to unveil a sign that will permanently designate the section of Route 195 in Howell — the town where he lived, and the area of the highway where he was killed — as the State Trooper Marc K. Castellano Memorial Highway.
"As I have gotten to know more about Marc, its presence has taken on greater significance," Murphy said of the memorial near exit 31 on the westbound side of the highway.
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Castellano was part of a large group of law enforcement conducting a search in the area following a chase on the Garden State Parkway on June 6, 2010, when he was hit while he was on the shoulder of Route 195. He died later of his injuries.
"These men and women go out every day not knowing whether they will come home," Murphy said.
Find out what's happening in Howellfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said that while Castellano's fellow troopers will never forget the day he was killed, "it's more important to remember how he lived, and the legacy he left behind."
"He was a Jersey guy and proud of it," Callahan said, adding that Castellano, a Jackson Memorial High School graduate, was equally proud of being a state trooper.
"Trooper Castellano represented the best of law enforcement," said Murphy, whom Callahan said was the person who pushed for the dedication ceremony to honor Castellano.
"This entire event was driven by Gov. Murphy," Callahan said. The video of the ceremony is below.
READ MORE: Route 195 In Howell Renamed To Honor Trooper Castellano
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Photo via New Jersey State Police Facebook video
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