New Jersey Flags To Fly At Half-Staff For Officer Killed In Cliffside Park Accident
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Flags at all New Jersey state buildings were to be flown at half-staff Friday, in honor of a special police officer killed in an accident last weekend.
Stephen Petruzzello, 22, had been a special officer in Cliffside Park for only about a month before he was struck by a sport-utility vehicle Saturday while he was on a foot patrol. He died two days later and was promoted posthumously to full-time officer.
A second special officer, Thaier Abdallah, was injured in the same crash but is expected to survive.
The SUV's driver, 62-year-old borough resident Anie Kalayian, was issued several motor vehicle citations on Sunday.
As a part-time special officer, Petruzzello could make arrests but did not carry a gun. He aspired to be a full-time officer and also worked at his father's car repair shop.
Petruzzello had just graduated from the academy last month.
The flag directive was in an executive order issued Wednesday by Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who serves as acting governor when Gov. Chris Christie is away.
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