Perth Amboy Honors Three Fallen Police Officers With Boat, Street Naming

PERTH AMBOY, NJ — This autumn, the city of Perth Amboy paid tribute to three former police officers who died, one who was killed by a drunk driver in the line of duty, and another from COVID-19.

The third officer died in a car crash while off duty.

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Two police boats were named in honor of officers Thomas Raji and Lt. David Formeza, while Ogden Place was honorarily renamed for officer Arcadio Rivera, Jr.

Raji was killed on Aug. 22, 2008 when his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver at the intersection of Rt. 1 and Green Street, in Woodbridge. This occurred while he was transporting a prisoner to the Middlesex County Jail.

Raji had been a Perth Amboy Police officer for 10 years, and his wife was also a Perth Amboy Police officer. She was pregnant when he was killed.

Lt. Formeza died Oct. 28, 2021 from Covid-19. He'd been with the city police for 18 years, previously part of the city's SWAT Team.

And Rivera Jr., died on April 28, 2021. He was a former U.S. Marine and 26-year veteran of the police force. He was driving his personal car off duty and had a medical emergency that caused him to crash into parked vehicles. He died.

On Oct. 20, the city held the boat renaming-ceremony at the historic ferry slip, 300 Front Street. Police Boat Marine #2 was dedicated to Raji, while Police Boat Marine #3 was dedicated to Formeza.

The ceremony featured the presentation of colors by the Perth Amboy Police Department Color Guard, the National Anthem performed by a Perth Amboy police officer and an invocation delivered by a member of the Perth Amboy Police and Fire Chaplain Corps.

The ceremony concluded with a blessing of the boats.

"Officer Raji and Lieutenant Formeza will always be part of our department's history," said Perth Amboy Police Chief Larry Cattano. "By placing their names on these vessels, we ensured that their memory continues to serve alongside our officers as they protect our waterways and respond to emergencies."

In a separate ceremony on Nov. 10, the city unveiled an honorary street sign designating Ogden Place in memory of Arcadio.

The ceremony, deliberately planned on the 251st birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, included remarks from city officials and members of the Rivera family.

"Perth Amboy will always be grateful for their service, and we will never forget them," said Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba. "Every time these boats patrol our waterways and every time someone travels along Ogden Place, their names serve as reminders of what it means to serve a community with honor."

"These three men answered the call to service, and their families deserve to know that their sacrifices and contributions will always be remembered," said Councilman Ken Puccio, who sponsored the street renaming. "These tributes are a meaningful way to keep their memories alive."