Law Enforcement Honors New Jersey State Trooper Killed In Crash

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Hundreds of law enforcement officers stood at attention in the rain on the Atlantic City Boardwalk on Monday, preparing to pay final respects to a New Jersey state trooper killed in a crash.

Police officers from as far away as Michigan are part of a huge contingent that will file past the casket of Trooper Frankie Williams as part of services in Boardwalk Hall.

New Jersey State Police posted a photo on Twitter Monday morning with the hashtag #GoneButNotForgotten

Gov. Chris Christie and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno are expected to attend the services. Earlier, there was a viewing for friends and family. Williams' family requested that the burial service remain private.

The 31-year-old Williams, of Egg Harbor Township, was responding to reports of an erratic driver in Millville last Monday night when that driver crossed the median and struck the officer's vehicle head-on, state police said.

The trooper was taken to the hospital, where he later died. The driver who struck him, 61-year-old Lloyd Rudley, was also killed.

Williams, of Atlantic County, was a member of the 156th State Police Class, which graduated January 29, 2016.  He was assigned to the Port Norris Station.

Trooper Cara Spinosa, who graduated with Williams, said Williams was a genuine guy and "no matter what, he always had our back.''

In August, Williams responded to a parking lot in Pilesgrove Township after a person reported a Toy Poodle was inside a vehicle with one window open about an inch. The trooper saw the dog was lying on its side inside a crate and in obvious distress from heat stroke, state police said.

After breaking the window with his baton, the trooper gave the dog water and it was taken to a veterinary hospital in critical condition. The dog eventually became stable and authorities charged its owner, a Pennsylvania woman, with animal abuse.

Williams got married in September and is survived by his wife, Kimberly.

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