Peace Officers Memorial Day commemorated with wreath laying at City Hall
TRENTON -- Trenton police honored fallen officers in their ranks -- six, along with one K-9 -- in a brief ceremony at the department's memorial in front of City Hall Tuesday.
The 11 a.m. event marked Peace Officers Memorial Day, an annual commemoration started in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy's proclimation. Tuesday's event coincides with National Police Week.
Lt. Stephen Varn kicked off the ceremony, reading portion of Kennedy's proclamation and extolling the virtue of those who choose join the ranks.
"It takes a special kind of courage to become a Peace Officer,'' Varn said.
Mayor Eric Jackson and Police Director Ernest Parrey Jr. also spoke during the ceremony, attended by city officials, politicians and police.
Six Trenton officers, all patrolmen, have been killed in the line of duty since 1875:
- Jacob Reupp -- Jan. 14, 1875
- George B. Grover -- April 15, 1917
- Abner R. Bruan -- May 27, 1919
- John J. Clowar -- Nov. 16, 1964
- James Loiacono, June 26, 1965
- George Ambrosio -- Dec. 8, 1979
"Mac," a police dog, was stabbed by a suspect during an arrest. He died Oct. 14, 1982.
Keith Brown may be reached at kbrown@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBrownTrenton. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.