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ket surrounded by more than 50 floral arrangements. Photos of
him from childhood to when he graduated from the police academy in December were displayed around the funeral chapel.
At his wake, Santiago was posthumously promoted to detective
and awarded the department’s medal of honor. Officers from at
least a dozen police departments — including Philadelphia and
Washington — paused at the open casket and saluted.
Disbrow confirmed that to his Jersey City brothers and sisters,
Santiago died a hero.
“Melvins would say, ‘I think I did my job. I hope you’re proud of
me,’” Disbrow said. “We are and we always will be.”
As you would expect, police officers in and around Jersey City
have already begun to look out for Santiago’s family and loved
ones. The Jersey City POBA has established a memorial fund for a
college trust for Santiago’s 13-year-old brother, Alexander McBride
Jr. Donations can be made to the JC Police Civic Association Inc.
Memorial Fund, P Box 17395, Jersey City, N.J., 07307. d
.O.