'Offered His Life:' Funeral For Judge’s Son In South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – When Daniel Anderl, 20, answered the doorbell on July 19, he was confronted by a gunman whose target was his mother, District Judge Esther Salas. But the judge's only son gave his life to protect his parents – his father Mark Anderl told his pastor from the hospital bed.

Last Saturday, Fr. Robert G. Lynam, pastor of St. Augustine of Canterbury echoed Mark’s words to those gathered for Daniel’s funeral.

“Jesus said ‘there is no greater love, than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ – Danny did that. There is no question in my mind, from Mark’s testimony to me, that Daniel offered his life for his father and his mother,” Lynam said in his homily.

Daniel was laid to rest two months after the fatal shooting that killed him and left his father, defense attorney Mark, severely wounded. Salas was uninjured.

The funeral was attended by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York; Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, President John Garvey of Catholic University of America where Daniel was a student, among others.

Read More Here: Suspect In Fatal Shooting Of Judge's Son In NJ Is Dead: Feds

Recalling his conversation with Daniel's father at the hospital, Lynam said his “powerful words” on forgiveness stayed with him.

“Mark, who was in intensive care, was able to receive a small piece of the host and then he shared those powerful words to me: ‘I have forgiven the shooter,’” he said.

Since Daniel's death, it's been faith that sustained his parents, said Lynam. "It has been the shining example of Daniel’s faith and selfless love that has sustained all of us,” he said.

Lynam also described to congregants how Judge Salas coped with her grief the day after Daniel’s death, when his parents were in the hospital. “Esther received communion along with her family who were in her room,” he said.

“Esther shared, when we had a moment at one of the Masses to quietly, privately bring an intention for the Mass, that as Jesus forgave Peter three times, she said to me, ‘I have forgiven the shooter three times and many more times since then,'” said Lynam.

The shooter, who the FBI identified as Roy Den Hollander, was an anti-feminist lawyer who had a case pending before Salas. Hollander was later found dead by self-inflicted gunshot wounds, said federal authorities.

Lynam also remembered fondly his interactions with the family every Sunday. “Esther is a great listener when I preach. She is there with me, as is Mark, and Daniel would be walking around doing ushering and greeting people. Constantly walking, walking, walking,” he said, drawing laughter from those present.

Cardinal Dolan of New York told congregants that Daniel’s selfless act was an inspiration to many. “Esther and Mark, the whole world bowed its head in prayer when they heard the sad news about Danny and the whole country has been inspired by his selfless act of sacrifice as he reminded them of Jesus on the cross.”

Checchio, bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, praised the parents for raising a “lovely young man” whose actions were seen by the whole world.

“We’re so indebted to you and the good work you did, the love you brought him up with in your home, and the good work and cooperation of this parish, St. Augustine of Canterbury School, Saint Joseph High School and Catholic University of America,” said Checchio.

Daniel was a 2018 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Metuchen.

Since the killing of Daniel, Salas has publicly advocated for stronger laws to protect the privacy of federal judges.

The funeral Mass came days after the New Jersey State Assembly unanimously passed A.B. 1649 – a legislation known as “Daniel’s Law,” that would bar online posting of judges’ and prosecutors’ home addresses or phone numbers.

Read More Here: Murder Of NJ Judge's Son Prompts New Legislation