NJ State PBA members went to Dallas and Baton Rouge to bring some Jersey strong support to law enforcement from around the world, and along the way they experienced some watershed moments.
The attacks on law enforcement
Strong
Response
NJ State PBA members went to Dallas and Baton Rouge to bring some Jersey strong support to law enforcement from around the world, and along the way they experienced some watershed moments.
July 7, 2016 reverberated through American law enforcement as its single most horrific tragedy since Sept. 11, 2001.
When word that five Dallas officers were killed in an ambush by a lone gunman taking out his hate on cops, Teaneck Local 215 Andy Haase was getting ready to take his two-week summer vacation with his family. But he sent his family on the trip and quickly maneuvered to accompany John Hulse in taking the NJ State PBA’ s brand new trailer to Dallas and then on to Baton Rouge, where three more officers were gunned down on July 17.
When the news broke, Raritan Township Local 337 State Delegate Meg Hammond immediately reached out to her chief for clearance to go to Dallas, making sure not to leave the department short. Like Hammond and many other PBA Executive Board Members, Bernard’ s Township Local 357 Hank Werner responded to the text message President Pat Colligan sent asking members to be part of the contingent to Dallas and was promptly en route.
Manchester Township Local 246 State Delegate Artie Cronk had just started his vacation on Long Beach Island when he saw a report of the attacks on television and immediately hooked up with Dover Township Local 137 member from Toms River Jessie Robertazzi and Nick Franco to make plans to get to Dallas. Asbury Park Local 6 State Delegate Eugene Dello was at the Monmouth County Conference barbecue when he heard about it, immediately had flashbacks to 9-11 and told President Colligan to count him in as part of the PBA response team.
30 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ AUGUST 2016
As soon as he saw the news that Dallas Police Officers Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael J. Smith, Brent Thompson and Dallas Area Rapid Transit Officer Patrick Zamarripa had been gunned down, Executive Vice-President Marc Kovar called Colligan to advocate,“ We have to be there,” and then offered to lead the PBA delegation to Dallas. And the President took to social media to let all members know by posting on Facebook,“ It’ s not,‘ Hey, can we do this?’ It’ s,‘ When are we leaving?’”
Thus the NJ State PBA mobilized to bring its trailer and team to Dallas – and then on to Baton Rouge – where it became a magnificent symbol, source and hub for the strength and camaraderie to help law enforcement from around the world and citizens in both cities deal with the pain and anger of such a tumultuous and historic tragedy.
“ I was lucky enough to be one of those able to lend a hand,” asserted Hulse, certainly echoing the feelings of those who went to both Dallas and Baton Rouge.“ This was such a tragedy, but the hard work and long hours were well worth the cost to support our brothers and sisters in their time of need. Looking back, it was one of the proudest moments I’ ve ever spent with this organization. The two weeks were physically and emotionally draining, but in the end it was one of the most uplifting things I’ ve had the chance to do since 9-11.”
Along the way, the PBA experienced unexpected and amazing responses from law enforcement and citizens. Partnering with the Port Authority PBA that brought the only other trailer to both Dallas and Baton Rouge, the State PBA contingent took pride in providing some