Supporting Cast
NJ State Troopers bring massive show of strength for fallen brothers
The rows of New Jersey State Troopers mustering at the National Mall stretched as far as a line of summer traffic heading into a Turnpike toll booth. Farther. The sound of State Police officers marching in unison and coming to attention echoed through the Candlelight Vigil, creating a tribute that alleviated the sadness.
“ So awesome. Just a great showing of support for law enforcement,” expressed Ryan Fearon, whose father, Bill, was one of three NJ State Troopers lost in the line of duty in 2016.
The State Police presence honored what might have been one of its more difficult years. Fearon’ s watch ended on Dec. 28 following a 19-month battle with brain cancer caused by his participation in the 9 / 11 response.
Just three weeks earlier on Dec. 5, 2016, Trooper Frankie Williams was killed when his patrol car was struck head-on by a vehicle on Route 55 in Millville. He was responding to a call for service when the other vehicle crossed the grass median of the highway and collided with his patrol car. Williams had been on the job for just 11 months.
In March 2016, Trooper Sean Cullen was lost when he was struck by a vehicle while assisting at the scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 295 in Deptford Township. Cullen served with the State Police for 18 months and left behind a 9-month-old son.
Perhaps the more than 500 troopers who came to Washington, D. C. offered healing powers. Or at least a perspective about how to carry on in a way their fallen brother would have wanted.
“ No fear,” submitted Elyse Fearon, Bill’ s oldest daughter evoking her father’ s famous call sign.
Fearon certainly personified the spirit of the NJ State Police. Trooper Neal Picillo, who worked tactical patrol with Fearon out of the Totowa Barracks, noted how Bill would come back every day from the Ground Zero detail after the 9 / 11 attacks and post a sign-up sheet to get other troopers to join him helping out on the pile.
The way Picillo described him, Fearon embodied that calling
Fearon Williams Cullen
Janice Fearon, left, with her daughter Elyse and son Ryan and NJ State Trooper Neal Picillo at the Candlelight Vigil.
for the State Police.
“ We all felt safer around Billy,” he continued.“ I’ ve been around a lot of tough guys before, but he was one of the toughest I’ ve ever seen. He made everyone stronger while he was fighting that battle. To be his friend and his co-worker was an honor.”
In tribute to the fallen, Elyse Fearon made a request of all law enforcement officers on behalf of her father.
“ Just act like he did: always stay strong and always keep your faith and your strength in everything that you do,” she implored.“ And just live each day like you are going to tackle the day. I know that’ s what he would want from all of us.” d
www. njcopsmagazine. com ■ JUNE 2017 55