Newark Dedicates Street Intersection to Police Officer Melvin Lisojo

More than 50 people gathered Tuesday afternoon to rename the intersection of Dickerson and Duryea streets in Newark's Central Ward in honor of fallen Newark Police Officer Melvin Lijoso, who died eight years ago in the line of duty.

Lisojo was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car was broadsided by a drunk driver that had run a red light at Bergen Street and 18th Avenue.

Lisojo was the passenger in the second of three patrol cars responding to a call of shots fired June 24 around 2 a.m. As Lisojo's patrol car entered the intersection, it was struck broadside, causing it to flip onto its side. Lisojo and his partner were both transported to University Hospital in critical condition. Lisojo later died, but his partner survived.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the patrol car was charged with vehicular homicide, recklessly operating a vehicle and driving while intoxicated. The suspect was also wanted on several outstanding warrants, including one for an incident earlier in the year where the suspect exchanged gunfire with several Newark officers.

In late 2005, the suspect accepted a plea agreement and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Tuesday's street dedication was a resolution sponsored by Newark Councilman-at-Large Carlos Gonzalez, on behalf of the Hispanic Law Enforcement Society of Essex County, acknowledging Lisojo as the first Hispanic officer to die in the line of duty in Newark.

— Mitsu Yasukawa