State Police Helicopters

[mychaljohn]

What are the 6 NJ State Police helicopters circling Busch for the last half hour for? Tim Howard getting down in Big Willie Style?

As they were leaving Johnson Park, there were a bunch of black GM SUV's for the exchange.

Graduation related?

 

[RUJohnny99]

Somerset, N.J. – Law enforcement officers from across the state and the nation gathered today for the State Police funeral ceremony for fallen Trooper Anthony Raspa #7425 at Saint Matthias Church in Somerset, N.J.

In attendance today were members of Trooper Raspa’s State Police Class (152nd), law enforcement officers from as far as California, Florida, Alabama, and Wisconsin, in addition to Governor Chris Christie, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman and other dignitaries who paid their respects to the Raspa and State Police family.

Trooper Anthony Raspa was killed in the line of duty as a result of a motor vehicle crash on Saturday, May 29 at 12:48 a.m. Trooper Raspa was driving a marked Ford Crown Victoria on Interstate 195 when he struck a deer and then ran off of the right side of the road into a wooded area. He was taken to CentraState Hospital in Freehold where he was later pronounced deceased. He was 24 years old.

The second occupant, Trooper Gene Hong, 29, was taken to Robert Wood Johnson in Hamilton where he was treated for lacerations and a neck injury. He was released shortly after the crash. Both troopers were assigned to Hamilton Station at the time of the accident.

“Though young, Trooper Raspa already had earned the respect of his fellow troopers and supervisors because of his character and his devotion to the highest principles of the New Jersey State Police,” said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman. “He was proud of being a trooper and protecting the people of this State, and he gave his life in that noble calling. Our hearts and our prayers go out to his family as we honor him and his service to New Jersey.”

“Trooper Anthony Raspa lost his life in the line of duty, carrying out his sworn oath to serve the citizens of New Jersey,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The Raspa family will forever be a part of the State Police family, and we will continue to support them in any way we can.”

 

[patk89]

Somerset, N.J. – Law enforcement officers from across the state and the nation gathered today for the State Police funeral ceremony for fallen Trooper Anthony Raspa #7425 at Saint Matthias Church in Somerset, N.J.

In attendance today were members of Trooper Raspa’s State Police Class (152nd), law enforcement officers from as far as California, Florida, Alabama, and Wisconsin, in addition to Governor Chris Christie, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman and other dignitaries who paid their respects to the Raspa and State Police family.

Trooper Anthony Raspa was killed in the line of duty as a result of a motor vehicle crash on Saturday, May 29 at 12:48 a.m. Trooper Raspa was driving a marked Ford Crown Victoria on Interstate 195 when he struck a deer and then ran off of the right side of the road into a wooded area. He was taken to CentraState Hospital in Freehold where he was later pronounced deceased. He was 24 years old.

The second occupant, Trooper Gene Hong, 29, was taken to Robert Wood Johnson in Hamilton where he was treated for lacerations and a neck injury. He was released shortly after the crash. Both troopers were assigned to Hamilton Station at the time of the accident.

“Though young, Trooper Raspa already had earned the respect of his fellow troopers and supervisors because of his character and his devotion to the highest principles of the New Jersey State Police,” said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman. “He was proud of being a trooper and protecting the people of this State, and he gave his life in that noble calling. Our hearts and our prayers go out to his family as we honor him and his service to New Jersey.”

“Trooper Anthony Raspa lost his life in the line of duty, carrying out his sworn oath to serve the citizens of New Jersey,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The Raspa family will forever be a part of the State Police family, and we will continue to support them in any way we can.”

If a simple NJ resident hits a deer, loses control of his/her car, and dies, this is a none event. Happens regularly. The police union loves to create a big event to show how dangerous their job is. This was a tragedy. No denying that. But police from the west coast attending? Come on now.

 

[B0ski]

If a simple NJ resident hits a deer, loses control of his/her car, and dies, this is a none event. Happens regularly. The police union loves to create a big event to show how dangerous their job is. This was a tragedy. No denying that. But police from the west coast attending? Come on now.

It's a brotherhood and to think the union creates this "big event" to show how dangerous the job is sounds ignorant at best.

 

[MrsScrew]

Violated NCAA rules? Someone must have given him a hot dog at tailgaiting. Big no no

If a simple NJ resident hits a deer, loses control of his/her car, and dies, this is a none event. Happens regularly. The police union loves to create a big event to show how dangerous their job is. This was a tragedy. No denying that. But police from the west coast attending? Come on now.

an office was killed in the line of duty. The thin blue line of support & respect travels far.

to the OP...the black SUV's were probably from the Governor's motorcade. He attended the funeral this morning.

 

[CERU00]

I heard rumors that he wasnt wearing a seatbelt. Any truth to this?

 

[e5fdny]

If a simple NJ resident hits a deer, loses control of his/her car, and dies, this is a none event. Happens regularly. The police union loves to create a big event to show how dangerous their job is. This was a tragedy. No denying that. But police from the west coast attending? Come on now.

The flip side to this it never says what patk89 job is in the headline when he does something wrong.

But is sure does when e5fdny does.

(and I know it comes with the territory but I do see your point)

 

[iReC89]

I heard rumors that he wasnt wearing a seatbelt. Any truth to this?

No. They were both wearing seat belts.

This happened very close to me. RIP. Its also within a few miles of the 2010 traffic death of a trooper on 195 that resulted from false claim and a wild goose chase.

I think Upper Freehold where this occurred is served locally by the State Police. In Robbinsville the local police patrol 195, and this could have just as easily happened to one of them. In addition to speeders, they stop a lot of drug traffic passing through.

 

[patk89]

The flip side to this it never says what patk89 job is in the headline when he does something wrong.

But is sure does when e5fdny does.

(and I do see your point)

Fair point. Although they would go out of their way to headline my job if I did something illegal. It would make the story more interesting I guess. But if I hit a deer and perished there would not be an out pouring of support from my industry. Guys I work with would come (I would hope) but no one from California is flying in as because they do the same job as me. And I'm not flying to California should the opposite occur. The cop in NYC who was executed recently on the job because he was a cop, that would hit home with many more law enforcement personnel. And his funeral put Long Island into gridlock due to the large number of attendees.

 

[CuredbywinningRU]

Policing is a tough job and it deserves our respect. However, how on earth do you justify using taxpayer dollars to send cops from CA to this funeral. That is a bit much even for a tragic death like this.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

If a simple NJ resident hits a deer, loses control of his/her car, and dies, this is a none event. Happens regularly. The police union loves to create a big event to show how dangerous their job is. This was a tragedy. No denying that. But police from the west coast attending? Come on now.

I get your point but I think you are wrong.

I actually did hit a deer right off 195 in Jackson. I was doing about 55-60 and, stupidly, I had seen the headlights coming the other way flash off with something passing in front of them and thought.. deer going the other way.

Where there is one.. there is more.. or one could easily double back. In nay case.. bamm.. hit it. I was closer to 40 than 24.. was from a deer area and knew not to swerve. Especially in a S10 Blazer.. just hit the damn thing and take yer chances. Trees are much much worse.

In any case.. more to the point.. young trooper.. perhaps never trained on how to handle deer... or maybe the deer came through his window wrecking any plan he may have had to handle such a situation. But these troopers do a lot of miles on duty.. patrolling the roads to, essentially, protect those of us broken down, having hit deer and the like.

It is not he same thing as a commuter hitting a deer.

And it is more dangerous for anyone who has to be on the road that often when deer are out and active.

It was in the line of duty.

And a 24 year old losing his life is always sad... unless it was someone pure evil like Saddam's sons or terrorists and so on.

 

[patk89]

Policing is a tough job and it deserves our respect. However, how on earth do you justify using taxpayer dollars to send cops from CA to this funeral. That is a bit much even for a tragic death like this.

Interesting point. So if a taxi driver has to be on the road all the time to do his job, and hits a deer and dies, this is different than the poor smuck who drives into NYC, works long hours, and hits a deer on the Parkway coming home after dark? The taxi driver is doing his job, in the line of duty, correct? Of course someone dying at 24 is tragic, why even mention that point? No one will even dispute that. The sky is blue when there are no clouds. I think you are wrong to quote yourself

 

[Ty Webb]

If a simple NJ resident hits a deer, loses control of his/her car, and dies, this is a none event. Happens regularly. The police union loves to create a big event to show how dangerous their job is. This was a tragedy. No denying that. But police from the west coast attending? Come on now.

Geezus, dude.

 

[patk89]

Geezus, dude.

What's your point Mr. Notre Dame? I said it was a tragedy. Are you stupid?

 

[e5fdny]

Fair point. Although they would go out of their way to headline my job if I did something illegal. It would make the story more interesting I guess. But if I hit a deer and perished there would not be an out pouring of support from my industry. Guys I work with would come (I would hope) but no one from California is flying in as because they do the same job as me. And I'm not flying to California should the opposite occur. The cop in NYC who was executed recently on the job because he was a cop, that would hit home with many more law enforcement personnel. And his funeral put Long Island into gridlock due to the large number of attendees.

Next time it happens lets see if your theory holds true.

While I'm sure it would be mentioned in the context of the story it won't be what the editor uses to sell more papers as it would be if I get pulled over after a great night at (insert name of Shore place du jour here).

 

[MADHAT1]

All I know is a police officer died ( in a traffic accident ) and don't care to knock who went to that police officer's funeral or if it cost the taxpayer for some of the mourners attending .
In sure his parents, Salvatore and Elizabeth Raspa, sisters and both of his Grandmothers (Mary Raspa & Nilda Diaz )appreciate the fact that Law Enforcement from all over the Country came to the funeral so they could pay their respects to a fellow officer who died while on duty (because of a traffic accident.)
The way Police Officers are looked down on by many and everything they do is subject to criticism, is a true shame and if anything upset people about NJ State Trooper Raspa's funeral: I wish they could have waited till the day after his funeral to bitch what they didn't like about it , the type of publicity his death received who attended and or why they did and if it cost the taxpayer any money for some who attended the funeral of Trooper Raspa..

Sometimes a little common courtesy is called for on the day of someone's funeral ,instead of looking for something to find wrong and talking about that..
Not that the friends and relatives grieving over his death will hear the complaints, but just showing the respect one would hope they get
on the day of their own funeral.
But to each their own , I have my beliefs and know not everyone will feel that way..

 

[yesrutgers01]

What's your point Mr. Notre Dame? I said it was a tragedy. Are you stupid?

patk89- you had to know when you posted it in the first place you were going to get grief. I mean, I understand the basis of your point but there is a time and place and the officer died in the line of duty.

 

[patk89]

All I know is a police officer died ( in a traffic accident while, don't care to knock who went to that police officer's funeral or if it cost the taxpayer for some of the mourners attending .
In sure his parents, Salvatore and Elizabeth Raspa, sisters and both of his Grandmothers (Mary Raspa & Nilda Diaz )appreciate the fact that Law Enforcement from all over the Country came to the funeral so they could pay their respects to a fellow officer who died while on duty because of a tragic accident.
The way Police Officers are looked down on by many and everything they do is subject to criticism, is a true shame and if anything upset people about NJ State Trooper Raspa's funeral: I wish they could have waited till the day after his funeral to bitch what they didn't like about it or the type of publicity his death received..

Sometimes a little common courtesy is called for on the day of someone's funeral ,instead of looking for something to find wrong and talking about that..
Not that the friends and relatives grieving over his death will hear the complaints, but just showing the respect one would hope they get
on the day of their own funeral.
But to each their own , I have my beliefs and know not everyone will feel that way..

No one on this thread is looking down on police officers and most, not all, do a great job and are well respected by their communities. I know and trust my family with those work in my town. I've never had a bad experience. But, once again, how is Officer Raspa's situation different from Joe Citizen who hits a deer and dies? Educate me.

 

[MADHAT1]

No one on this thread is looking down on police officers and most, not all, do a great job and are well respected by their communities. I know and trust my family with those work in my town. I've never had a bad experience. But, once again, how is Officer Raspa's situation different from Joe Citizen who hits a deer and dies? Educate me.

Could be the same as John Q Public, but it would be nice if a day went by after JQ's funeral before anyone started bitching about it.
you shouldn't have to be educated about that. ( at least I hope people don't?).
If you don't know, it might just be called respecting someone who is being buried the same day your complaining and waiting till the proper time to start posting everything you don't like about his being honored over a traffic accident that is being considered :death in the line of duty.

I know you don't mean disrespect, but I feel a little common courtesy would have been nice.
The decent thing to do would have been waiting at least one day to complain about Officer Raspa's funeral and/or the respect he's receiving over his dying in a traffic accident.

But like I stated, the way I feel, others might not.
Guess you're one of the others.

 

[mychaljohn]

Pat, frankly, you sound like an ass in this thread. If you can't figure out why, then you are simply missing that part of your brain that is necessary for not sounding like an ass in threads like this.

 

[knightfan7]

No one on this thread is looking down on police officers and most, not all, do a great job and are well respected by their communities. I know and trust my family with those work in my town. I've never had a bad experience. But, once again, how is Officer Raspa's situation different from Joe Citizen who hits a deer and dies? Educate me.

Maybe because his job entails protecting you and me and when necessary stepping in harms way to do it?

 

[Piscataway]

Patk89 I'm with you. I don't get the deification of civil servents. Yes it's a dangerous job but not even in the top 10

http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-2014-12

Last time a garbage man died I don't remember any procession. Cops are no better than any one of us, no matter what we do.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Patk89 I'm with you. I don't get the deification of civil servents. Yes it's a dangerous job but not even in the top 10

http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-2014-12

Last time a garbage man died I don't remember any procession. Cops are no better than any one of us, no matter what we do.

Not related to this death (obviously given my previous comment on it).. I will admit that sometimes.. when some of these police actions, police shootings are reported.. I think.. don't these cops know it is their job to risk their lives and NOT have fast trigger fingers?

Many cops probably do risk their lives protecting us. But some seem to eliminate risk by going nuclear rather quickly.

 

[Piscataway]

Not related to this death (obviously given my previous comment on it).. I will admit that sometimes.. when some of these police actions, police shootings are reported.. I think.. don't these cops know it is their job to risk their lives and NOT have fast trigger fingers?

Many cops probably do risk their lives protecting us. But some seem to eliminate risk by going nuclear rather quickly.

GOR- I think the thin blue line mentality has caused more problems that good. The militarization of the equipment and tactics, down to referring to no cops as 'civilians'. It's not helpful.

 

[ruready07]

when cops have these big events and guys from all over the country start flying in (on political missions and paid time off) it only helps to further the divide between law enforcement and the community. Law enforcers are the ones who created the US and them mentality that has spread throughout this land.

When you see a cop on the road while you're driving or even just out and about - when the feeling you get is one of comfort and protection as opposed to the anxiety everyone feels, then we can say that law enforcement is doing its job.

 

[MADHAT1]

"I think the thin blue line mentality has caused more problems that good." is probably true,
But when one of that line loses his life, respect to his profession might be shown on the day he is buried.
If not for the profession, the old not speak ill of the dead ( especially the day of his funeral) might do.
I doubt anyone means to speak ill of that officer, but is putting down the police the right thing to do on the day a police officer is being buried ?

But that's me, others can look at police like interchangeable bodies and find things wrong about honoring
a police officer if he wasn't killed by a maniac scumbag and only died in a tragic ( to his family and friends) traffic accident .

 

[WhiteBus]

Could be the same as John Q Public, but it would be nice if a day went by after JQ's funeral before anyone started bitching about it.
you shouldn't have to be educated about that. ( at least I hope people don't?).
If you don't know, it might just be called respecting someone who is being buried the same day your complaining and waiting till the proper time to start posting everything you don't like about his being honored over a traffic accident that is being considered :death in the line of duty.

I know you don't mean disrespect, but I feel a little common courtesy would have been nice.
The decent thing to do would have been waiting at least one day to complain about Officer Raspa's funeral and/or the respect he's receiving over his dying in a traffic accident.

But like I stated, the way I feel, others might not.
Guess you're one of the others.

I'm sure patk89 didn't mean any disrespect. He just doesn't have any respect for people that protect us. Sickening post to say the absolute very least.

 

[Piscataway]

"I think the thin blue line mentality has caused more problems that good." is probably true,
But when one of that line loses his life, respect to his profession might be shown on the day he is buried.
If not for the profession, the old not speak ill of the dead ( especially the day of his funeral) might do.
I doubt anyone means to speak ill of that officer, but is putting down the police the right thing to do on the day a police officer is being buried ?

But that's me, others can look at police like interchangeable bodies and find things wrong about honoring
a police officer if he wasn't killed by a maniac scumbag and only died in a tragic ( to his family and friends) traffic accident .

This is a BS argument. No one is talking poorly about this young man. We are talking about the divide between law enforcement and non law enforcement. His unfortunate death has brought the discussion about. It is incidences like these that highlight the problem many of us see in modern policing.

The most important conversations are usually the hardest to have and and there is never an appropriate time to have them.

 

[RU4Real]

Cooperation among law enforcement agencies cuts both ways. When something bad happens - Katrina, Sandy, Baltimore riots, etc. - law enforcement agencies conduct mutual aid operations in support of the local authorities. When one of those agencies loses a member in the line of duty, it's typical to send delegations from afar.

The practice isn't new and it provides an opportunity for the entire LEO community to show support for a member organization in time of tragedy.

While many people here may not know or realize it, the NJSP is a much admired organization among law enforcement. It supports a great many other organizations, causes and events in time of need and, in return, garners much support itself from inside the law enforcement community.

 

[Knight Shift]

smh at some of the comments here, especially about the job not being dangerous coming from people who never put on a uniform to protect and serve the community. Kind of like casting stones at private schools when you never set foot inside of one. Next time you need to call the police or fire department for assistance when you are in danger, be sure to tell them that their funeral processions annoy you and they deserve no more than a taxi driver or trash collector.

 

[Piscataway]

RU4R - I understand the idea of mutual aid. I was a volunteer ff at one point in my life. But it's not like these agencies just decide on there own to send assistance. These are are agreements between towns/counties/ states.

Knightshift
I'm not disparaging anyone. No one here is. I don't understand why one can't have an open debate without being labeled a cop hater. It's like throwing the race card - very I ntellectually lazy. Though policing and FF are dangerous professions statistically they are not in the top 10. Whereas sanitation worker is. Why don't we have all the pomp and circumstance when one of these folks looses their life doing their job?

 

[RU4Real]

RU4R - I understand the idea of mutual aid. I was a volunteer ff at one point in my life. But it's not like these agencies just decide on there own to send assistance. These are are agreements between towns/counties/ states.

Knightshift
I'm not disparaging anyone. No one here is. I don't understand why one can't have an open debate without being labeled a cop hater. It's like throwing the race card - very I ntellectually lazy. Though policing and FF are dangerous professions statistically they are not in the top 10. Whereas sanitation worker is. Why don't we have all the pomp and circumstance when one of these folks looses their life doing their job?

I guess what's at issue here is that you and the rest of the folks attempting a similar argument seem to lack an actual point.

So lots of cops go to cop funerals but lots of sanitation workers don't go to sanitation worker funerals.

So what? What are you trying to say? What is the problem? What's your solution?

It just seems like complaining for the sake of complaining.

 

[Piscataway]

My point is that it is a symptom of a problem that many in this country see. Police are no different than the rest of the population. The idea of the thin blue line needs to be put to rest. The militarization of police forces needs to be reversed. The idea that police are any different than any other citizen is harmful.

 

[RU4Real]

My point is that it is a symptom of a problem that many in this country see. Police are no different than the rest of the population. The idea of the thin blue line needs to be put to rest. The militarization of police forces needs to be reversed. The idea that police are any different than any other citizen is harmful.

So... you would pass a law dictating who is allowed to attend funerals?

And you think that the police are the problem?

 

[motorb54]

Tragedy.
Did the investigation reveal whether they were traveling to a call?
Did it reveal the speed they were travelling?

 

[ruteelrice]

If you're one of those blah blah blah tax payer dollars blah blah people then please know I hate you and you'd fit in great in the nj.com comments section

 

[Knight Shift]

My point is that it is a symptom of a problem that many in this country see. Police are no different than the rest of the population. The idea of the thin blue line needs to be put to rest. The militarization of police forces needs to be reversed. The idea that police are any different than any other citizen is harmful.

OK. It's working out real well in Baltimore. Next argument--do the green leafy suburbs need military equipment? Frankly, if the option is to scrap military equipment or give it to law enforcement and public safety agencies for beneficial use, I'll opt for the latter. I am grateful that many of the OEMs, police, fire and first aid squads were able to obtain vehicles and other equipment to better effect water and other rescues during hurricanes and storm. I'm sure some people bristle when they see the police or fire driving a military vehicle, but again, they will be the first to call crying like babies when they need to be rescued.

 

[MADHAT1]

My point is /was, couldn't some of you aired your complaints after NJ State Trooper Anthony Raspa was buried.
Complaints about the blue line could include Trooper Raspa, because it could be inferred: he was part of that blue line because of the profession he was in.
Trooper Raspa 's funeral day this is posted :"The police union loves to create a big event to show how dangerous their job is." Though it goes on to say : "This was a tragedy. No denying that." the intent was clear that the poster considered how Trooper Raspa 's funeral was being made more than it thought it should be. On the day of someone's funeral, my opinion, that seems a little disrespectful to the man being honored because of the circumstances that lead to his death and because of how far some traveled to honor Trooper Raspa.

"No one is talking poorly about this young man." might be thought by many posting in this thread, but what I posted above makes me think,though not intended, Trooper Raspa's funeral and profession are being put down by some posting in this thread, so in fact that deceased NJST is being put down as well, because of the way he died ( traffic accident) and the type of funeral he had is being complained about.

 

[RM60]

Those of you unsympathetic souls...you have every right to be a$$holes. Fully support your right.

But if and when that person who is lost is your friend, your brother or sister, or a member of your community, you may someday better understand the demonstration of grief and solidarity. And if not, and if that person who is lost is you, and no one shows up to grieve, or simply to pay their respects, it will be understandable..

 

[Knight Shift]

Those of you unsympathetic souls...you have every right to be a$$holes. Fully support your right.

But if and when that person who is lost is your friend, your brother or sister, or a member of your community, you may someday better understand the demonstration of grief and solidarity. And if not, and if that person who is lost is you, and no one shows up to grieve, or simply to pay their respects, it will be understandable..

/thread.

RIP Officer Raspa.