Jersey City School Renamed In Honor Of Fallen Police Officer Marc DiNardo
The elementary school that Officer Marc DiNardo attended 30 years ago was renamed in his memory at an emotional ceremony at the school, reports CBS 2's Derricke Dennis.
A school full of children learning under the name Marc Anthony DiNardo – that was the dream of Mary DiNardo, the widow of the slain officer. On Wednesday, at the P.S. 23 Annex in Jersey City, it happened.
"I really have no words," Mary DiNardo said. "It's great, it's great."
Children took center stage at the school renaming ceremony.
"A hero is courageous, loving and brave," one student said.
With bagpipes playing, flowers were presented to DiNardo's wife and mother.
"He lives because his organs allow others to live," DiNardo's aunt, Nancy Imperatore, said. "He lives because we remember."
Officer DiNardo, a father of three and a 10-year department veteran, was shot in the face during a July 2009 shootout. He was taken off of life support five days later, and he died. He was 37 years old.
Jersey City Police Chief Thomas Comey called DiNardo an angel.
"At the Jersey City Police Department, when we go out on patrol, we believe that all of the cops who made the ultimate sacrifice go out there with us," Comey said. "From this day forward, I'm going to release Marc, and ask that he is the guardian angel of every child that steps through that school's doors."
That is now the legacy of Marc DiNardo – the children who learn under his name, and the school that will remember him always.
"It's amazing. I mean, a second grader coming to me, saying 'sorry about your husband,' it's just amazing to me," Mary DiNardo said.
Officer DiNardo's widow went before the city council after petitioning to rename the school in his honor. A waiting period followed to see if there were any objections from the public – none were raised.
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