Candlelight Vigil
members of Local 278 honored Chris in a way that he would
have wanted most – coming to Police Week as he always urged
them to do.
When they fulfilled the honor of rising to stand at attention
when NJ State PBA Executive Vice President Marc Kovar read
Christopher’s name during the roll call of fallen officers on May
13, and then raised candles, the Montclair State members tru-
ly perpetuated his legacy. Emblems and acts of honor for Chris
from the department filled Police Week beyond the Vigil.
Local 278 State Delegate Bill Comerro represented New Jersey
in the annual Standing Watch for the Fallen Flag Ceremony on
May 14 when colors from every state were posted at the National
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Etchings of Christopher’s
name inscribed on the Memorial’s wall of honor were taken to
display at campus police headquarters. And on May 12, two of-
ficers who rode the Police Unity Tour in honor of Chris present-
ed to Toni the bracelets they wore with his name inscribed.
“It’s been an emotional but rewarding few days for us,” con-
firmed MSU Police Captain Kieran Barrett, who initiated the ef-
fort in early 2017 to have Christopher’s name added to the wall
as a line-of-duty death. “I’ve been to the Vigil in the past and you
know it’s a very emotional event. Now, when you have someone
of your own ranks there, it really sends you in a different direc-
tion entirely just to be able to stand up for our fellow sergeant.”
Members of the Montclair State Campus Police Department and State Cam-
pus Police Local 278 hold up candles to honor Sergeant Christopher Vidro
at the Vigil.
Barrett planned a debriefing for when he returned to campus
to talk about the events and make sure all officers who attended
were OK. But his intention was also to ensure that the depart-
ment would continue to honor Chris and his family. The ear-
ly returns at Police Week indicated he will never have to worry
about that.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 56
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■ JUNE 2018 55