West Orange Cops Lend Aid In Puerto Rico: People Were ‘Selfless'

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A pair of West Orange police officers recently spent two weeks in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico as part of “Operation NJ Pride.”

According to a township news release, officers Jeffrey James and Det. Sebastian de Leon were among 50 law enforcement personnel from state and local agencies who traveled to the island to assist in recovery efforts.

The pair, who were part of a traffic detail, said it was an emotional experience to see the hardships suffered by residents. They also spoke of the selflessness of the Puerto Rican people, many who lost everything they had to the disaster.

“People were very generous, they don’t have much but they were very appreciative we were there,” said de Leon, who added that residents would hand out water to on-duty officers.

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Photo: From left, Det. Det. Sebastian de Leon, Gen. Juan Jose Medina Lamela of Puerto Rico and Officer Jeffrey James (courtesy of Township of West Orange)