Teaneck Officer Honored At Statewide Memorial

OCEAN GROVE -- Law enforcement officers from across New Jersey and some of the state's top officials gathered in Ocean Grove Tuesday morning to honor Teaneck Police Officer John Abraham Jr. and three other officers who died in the line of duty in the past year.

"We are here to honor people whose courage made us stronger," said state Attorney General Paula Dow. "Each day they are called on to put themselves in danger."

Abraham was killed Oct. 25 when his patrol car crashed into a utility pole near police headquarters.  The .  Thousands turned out for his funeral, and his name was recently . 

Abraham's brother and mother attended the moving ceremony, and were joined by members of the Teaneck Police Honor Guard.

“It’s been very emotional. It’s a trying time,’ said Thomas Abraham, John's brother.

In the months since his death, the Teaneck Police Department has stood by the Abraham family.

"I want to thank everyone in Teaneck for the unbelievable support of a totally amazing officer," Thomas said.

Support has also poured in from other members of law enforcement and the community beyond the township, Thomas said.  Police officials from around the state, who never met John Abraham Jr., took time to speak with the family at the ceremony.

“Seeing the crowd shows how many people truly care,” he added. “There were so many people that knew John. It wasn’t just Teaneck.”

While the state memorial honored Abraham’s service, the event also served as a reminder of the personal loss faced by the families of fallen officers.

“It’s definitely hard knowing your brother isn’t coming back,” Thomas said.

Still, Thomas said it was upsetting to know that his brother no longer serves the Teaneck community.

' fiance Kelly Walsifer said it was important to remember all officers killed in the line of duty. Hundreds of seats in the Great Auditorium were covered with black cloth and adorned with the names of New Jersey's fallen officers dating back to the mid-1850s.

"For me, it means to keep remembering his name and also to remember all the other fallen brothers and sisters of New Jersey, so they are never forgotten," Walsifer said. "It's amazing that they remember all of these officers."

In addition to Matlosz and Abraham, the memorial honored Port Authority Police Officer John Mark Cortazzo and New Jersey State Trooper Marc Kenneth Castellano.

"We will always in our hearts remember your sacrifice," Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno told the crowd. "Words are not enough."

Gregory Kyriakakis contributed to this report.