Local 238 give two boys a Devil-ish good time
Kimberly Sturman brought her boys, Cole and Jake, to school on
a Feb. 17 snow day. She was in on a secret, as was the school
principal who agreed to open the gym so Lacey Township Local 238
officers could surprise the brothers with tickets to that night’s NJ
Devils game at the Prudential Center in Newark. It was their way of
giving back to the family still reeling from the devastating loss of
their father.
The officers presented each brother with a Jaromir Jagr jersey,
ticket and spending money for the game before getting on a chartered bus to the venue.
Sergeant Robert Flynn organized the event after learning his son
was a classmate of Jake’s and both boys shared a love for the Devils.
“Just before Christmas, we were watching the game together in
our living room. My son realized the Devils were down a few goals
and remarked with disappointment, ‘Man, Jake and I are going to be
so mad if they lose.’ I couldn't help but think how Jake and Cole were
sitting at home, excited for Christmas, but still were dealing with the
recent loss of their father,” recalled Flynn. “The realization that Jake
and Cole no longer have a father to sit on the couch and watch a
game with them was just devastating for me.”
A group of 56 police officers and their families sat together behind
the Devils’ goal wearing matching “Team Sturman” t-shirts as they
watched the Devils win a thrilling 2-1 game in a shootout against the
Buffalo Sabres. NJ State PBA President Pat Colligan was at the game
for another event, and joined in on the fun, meeting the boys and
posing for pictures on the ice after the game.
“They loved it. We surprised them in stages so they weren’t too
overwhelmed,” said Flynn. “Their mother was in tears. She was so
appreciative. It was awesome. I got a little choked up myself. It was
good for all of us.”
The NJ Devils organization was in on the surprise too, and helped
arrange a night the brothers will never forget. Jake and Cole rode the
Zamboni in between periods, skated on the ice after the game and
were given the ultimate souvenir: take-home pucks from the
players. d
Cole (left) and Jake Sturman.
www.njcopsmagazine.com
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APRIL 2015
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