Funeral Held For NJ Trooper Killed After Striking Deer
SOMERSET, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The funeral for a New Jersey State Police trooper killed over the weekend after striking a deer in his cruiser took place Thursday morning at St. Matthias Church in Somerset.
Hundreds came to the funeral of 24-year-old Anthony Raspa, including Gov. Chris Christie, law enforcement officers from as far away as California and his graduating class.
Trooper Raspa's casket was draped in an American flag and carried out of St. Matthias Church as fellow officers saluted and family members consoled each other.
"We had all too short a time, a year and a half," Col. Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, told CBS2's Christine Sloan. "Graduated the academy in October 2013 and now we're burying him, somebody who had really the promise of a tremendous career."
The trooper's cousin, Detective Paul Pappas Jr., was overcome by grief. He was his mentor and the reason Raspa joined the state police.
"I helped guide him, he wanted to serve," Pappas said. "He was very proud, he was very young when he got on. He graduated college in three and a half years, the University of Delaware, and immediately began applying to become a New Jersey State trooper."
Andrew Matthews, Esq, President of the Connecticut State Police Union was one of thousands in attendance.
"It's pretty powerful," Matthews said of the funeral. "The most powerful moment was when the New Jersey State police bag piper came in and played a song for the family.
State police officials have said Raspa and partner Gene Hong were patrolling eastbound on a stretch of I-195 in Monmouth County when their Ford Crown Victoria struck the deer early Saturday.
The car ran off the side of the road and hit a tree. No other vehicles were involved.
"The entire state police family has to pull together at a time like this," said New Jersey State Police Capt. Stephen Jones.
Christie ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff on Thursday to honor Raspa.
"Trooper Raspa has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty while protecting the citizens of the State of New Jersey and, therefore, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to mark his passing and to honor his memory," Christie said in a statement.
Raspa was also an artist, a prolific writer and a great athlete.
"My fondest memory would be when he wrestled in school," his cousin said. "He had a tremendous heart and he would never quit."
The 29-year-old Hong was treated at a hospital for cuts and a neck injury.
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