Fallen Officers Honored By New Brunswick Police Department

Det. Russell Henry served the New Brunswick Police Department for 28 years, leaving behind him a proud family, as well as a legacy of fond memories.

For his daughter, Donna Ponzi, Friday's New Brunswick Police Department Memorial Ceremony was a fitting way to celebrate that legacy.

“It’s wonderful that they remember, and it brings you back to good times,” said Ponzi, who attended the annual ceremony for the first time on Friday. “I just think officers back then need to be remembered.”

As part of National Police Week, current and retired members of the New Brunswick Police Department joined family and friends in front of Civic Square for its memorial ceremony, which honors all the New Brunswick police officers that have passed away.

The ceremony began with a rendering of the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a welcome by detective Michael Sutton, PBA #23/23A president.

Sutton said Police Week is a time to remember the hard work of police forces nationwide and how important, and often dangerous, their service is.

Considering the recent rise of shootings in New Brunswick, Sutton said Police Week is an appropriate time to think about how quickly things happen and how quickly things can go awry.

“We’ve had our share of that, yet our officers come back every day and do their job, and that’s a tribute to their dedication and the dedication they have to our community and to our department,” he said.

“More specifically this day is a day for us here to remember our officers who have come before us in this police department and have passed away, and it’s a time for us to remember them and all the hard work they did that has brought us to this point in New Brunswick Police Department’s history,” Sutton continued.

A roll call of more than 150 deceased officers followed Suttons welcome. The ceremony also included a three gun salute, a rendition of “Taps,” and traditional bagpipe and drum music provided by members of the Middlesex County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums.

New Brunswick Police Director Anthony Caputo summed up the memorial as a humbling event.

“We have three things in common: we all wear the same badge, we all put our life on the line for the community, and one day we’re all going to have our name read on that list,” he said.