Permission to
smile
Annual Survivors Day gives families of fallen offi cers
a day in the sun and time to be happy
Following the ceremony, Governor Phil Murphy, Attorney General Gurbir
Grewal and NJ State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan posed for a photo with
children of offi cers lost in the line of duty.
■ BY AMBER RAMUNDO
We are used to seeing groups of survi-
vors of law enforcement officers lost in
the line of duty at solemn occasions.
Perhaps you’ve traveled to Washing-
ton D.C. during National Police Week and
seen them escorted into the Candlelight
Vigil on the arms of honor guard mem-
bers from across the country.
You might have spotted them gathered
around panels at the National Law En-
forcement Officers Memorial, where their
heroes’ names are etched in tribute.
Maybe you’ve attended the Annual NJ
Law Enforcement Memorial Service in
Ocean Grove and watched family mem-
bers place roses on the open seats that
pay tribute to the loved ones who are no
longer with us.
These are the moments when the
absence of the mothers, fathers, sons,
daughters, partners and spouses who
have made the ultimate sacrifice are in-
tensely felt. These places are typically
quiet and reflective. There are often tears
and many hugs exchanged.
But on July 17, the survivors of New
Jersey law enforcement upheld a family
tradition of reuniting in a setting much
different from the places where they typi-
New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan hosted the Survivors Day with a ceremony that includ-
ed speeches from Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.
cally gather. The unmistakable sounds of
running water rushing down slides and
waves c