One year after tragedy, East Hanover Local 227
reconnects with Baton Rouge
A six-hour visit to Baton Rouge was all it took for East Hanover
Local 227 to create a friendship with blue brothers 1,400 miles
away.
Following the ambush of law enforcement officers in Baton
Rouge and the widespread flooding that devastated communi-
ties across Louisiana in 2016, Local 227 answered the call. In Au-
gust 2016, members stuffed a 26-foot box truck with household
supplies, water and food and drove from East Hanover to make
the delivery in Baton Rouge.
During the short time spent with Baton Rouge officers, who
were overwhelmed by Local 227’s outpouring of support, a
blue bond of friendship quickly developed. When Local 227 an-
nounced that it was time to drive back to New Jersey to return
to work, the Baton Rouge officers promised that once the waters
receded in Louisiana and life in the community began to return
to normal, they would return the favor to their new friends from
East Hanover.
One year later, the Baton Rouge officers stayed true to their
word and insisted that Local 227 members return to their city for
a weekend of events and fun. On Sept. 9, Local 227 members and
Baton Rouge Police Department officers reunited at the Louisi-
ana State University Tigers football stadium. The blue brothers
enjoyed a tour of the stadium, a meet-and-greet with the coach-
es and a tailgate before the game.
“It was almost like we never left,” Local 227 State Delegate Jes-
se Novalis insisted. “We picked up right where we had left off the
year before, when they were trying to rebuild and going through
a lot.”
By the end of the trip to Baton Rouge, the officers had already
made plans for their next get-together, deciding that Baton
Rouge PD would make the trip to New York City.
Local 227 organized a weekend packed with sightseeing,
sporting events and quality time with friends for the Baton
Rouge officers who made a weekend visit in November. With
the help of the Port Authority PD, the Baton Rouge officers were
given a tour on the Hudson River to view New York City from a
rescue boat. The officers also visited the 9/11 museum and got
up close and personal at a New York Giants game at MetLife Sta-
dium.
“We never would have imagined that it would have come to
this when we decided to make this trip to Baton Rouge last year,”
Novalis admitted. “But, we’re glad it all has worked out.” d
East Hanover Local 227 delivers joy during
holiday hospital visits
Members of East Hanover Local 227 made two important
hospital visits during this holiday season to spread cheer to
children fighting illness. The officers dressed in uniform while
making gift deliveries at Morristown Medical Center on Dec. 14
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■ JANUARY 2018
and St. Barnabas Medical Center on Dec. 21. Children lit up with
joy when they received a surprise knock on their doors from lo-
cal officers, who lifted their spirits with special toy deliveries to
brighten the holiday. d