Photos: Cops and Rodders Cruises into Town

On Sunday June 12, 2011, the Verona Police Department’s P.B.A. Local 72 hosted its 4th Annual “Cops & Rodders” Classic Police Car Show / Family Day. This event was founded and created by (Retired) Police Lieutenant Bill Sona in 2008.

Classic model police vehicles and vintage police cruisers were on hand. Exhibiting their specialized units and equipment was the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, the Cedar Grove Police Department, the Verona Fire Department, the Verona Rescue Squad, and the Essex County Prosecutors Office Crime Scene Unit.

“These vehicles and their equipment were not only fun to look at, they provided a learning experience for our community”.

This year our members decided to provide an area where the public would be able to donate to the N.J. State Policemen’s Benevolent Association Survivor & Welfare Fund. This fund provides aid to the families of Law Enforcement Officers who are killed in the line of duty. According to statistics gathered from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial website, in 2009 there were 117 Law Enforcement Officers that were killed in the line of duty. In 2010 there were 162, and as of June 8, 2011, there were 83.

Our membership would like to extend a special thanks to everyone who made our event a great success. We are already planning for next year.

Photos by Verona Police Officer Ed Carattini Jr., State Delegate Verona P.B.A. Local 72.