‘SUCCISA VIRESCIT’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 79
and father stood proudly beside the plaque and it seemed as
though this was the first time since 1991 that they could publicly
be proud of the amazing police officer he was.
Then Lieutenant Dell revealed that Officer Cabrera had died by
suicide on May 15, 1991, 24 years earlier to the day, and other officers should not die by their own hand due to stress, relationship
challenges or fear of managing their mental health. Instead, on
this day, North Bergen officers would be committed to being their
brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, and use Cop 2 Cop and QPR to identify the signs and symptoms and assist each other in reaching out
for help.
Interestingly enough, Lieutenant Dell discovered the story of
Officer Cabrera when he himself had been named Police Officer
of the Year, after which he decided to look back on all the officers
who had received the prestigious honor before him.
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Obviously, Lieutenant Dell is clearly an officer who deserves
the recognition of being honored for his service by the character
he displayed creating the platform for this event. Chief Dowd
should be recognized by chiefs across the state and country for
his courage to include this type of loss in his mission to have his
young department learn everything they will need to be safe and
prosper. Finally, Officer Eschevarria is that officer that every
department should be blessed to have behind the scenes,
humbly and quietly supporting his department in everything he
does.
The term “Succisa Virescit” was chosen more than a millennium ago to convey the value and importance of perseverance; but
it was truly depicted on May 15, 2015 in a small building in North
Bergen, New Jersey on a day full of hope for all of us at Cop 2 Cop
and in the law enforcement community. New Jersey law enforcement… when you are cut down, you grow up strong again! d