PBA Executive Board members manned the Special Services Trailer to pro-
vide support to all officers who attended the service.
In awe
Of the nearly 1,000 officers who attended the memorial service
this year, a group mustering in the streets caught everybody’s
attention. These were recruits from the Monmouth County Po-
lice Academy. As they demonstrated their proficiency in drilling,
their presence emphasized one of the important reasons why
officers need to come to this event.
“It’s important for them to see what can happen and how se-
riously they need to take it,” said James Robertson, an instructor
at the academy and member of Monmouth County Sheriff’s Of-
ficers Local 314. “This is what is going to help them get through
the rest of their lives, that people’s lives actually depend on what
they do. It’s that important.”
Another important presence at the memorial comes with the
family members of fallen officers. Members of Garden State
Concerns of Police Survivors, led by President John Ciuppa and
Recruits from the Monmouth County Police Academy mustered before at-
tending the service.
Past President Lisa Preslar, filled many of the seats up front in
the auditorium.
Joining them was Donna Scerbo, who has been coming to
the memorial for 21 years since she lost her husband, Newark
Officer Dewey J. Scerbo. Donna comes from a law enforcement
family. Her son Joseph is a Cranford Local 52 member, and her
father and brother were both on the job. Scerbo has a unique
perspective about what transpires at the memorial service, in-
cluding remembering her husband.
“Your officer is always there and comes to your mind on a dai-
ly basis,” she observed. “But it’s great to know they are being re-
membered by more than just you and your family.”
Manchester Township Local 246 President Bill Iliadis came
to the memorial service this year for the first time as way to re-
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