A Fitting Tribute For A Fallen Berkeley Police Officer

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Police officers and residents were shocked when young Berkeley Sgt. Alison Wray died suddenly early last November of complications from a stroke.

She has not been forgotten. She was honored on Wednesday when members of the Police Unity Tour swung over to the township complex. Wray was posthumously promoted to the rank of lieutenant. A section of Pinewald-Keswick Road, which runs by the police department, was renamed to "Lt. Alison Wray Memorial Highway."

Her two little boys, Harrison and Henry, and her fiancée, Lt. Henry Ganska were on hand to watch Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. unveil the roadway sign in her honor.

The Civil Service results for the lieutenant's test came out in March. Wray, 32, was first on the list after the officers who had already been promoted, Township Administrator John Camera said.

"The mayor thought it fitting to promote her ceremoniously to lieutenant in front of her friends, family and peers," Camera said. "She certainly earned it. The Township Council and Chief DiMichele were in support of the mayor's suggestion 100 percent."

Berkeley officers who are riding in the Unity Tour this year include Deputy Chief Kevin Santucci , retired Captain Christian Roth, retired Lieutenant Curtis Drumhiller , Lieutenant Mike Roth, Lieutenant Pete La Rocca, and Patrolmen Bob Flanegan, Officer Scott Rudolph, Officer Tim Pizzella and Officer Ed Hendrickson.

Wray, who was with the police department for almost a decade, died unexpectedly on Nov. 3.

She began her career with Berkeley Township in 2008 and later graduated from the Atlantic County Police Academy. Wray began in the patrol division and moved up the ranks quickly. She was promoted to sergeant in 2015.

"Sergeant Wray was known for her intelligence, compassion and dedication to her officers, whom she considered family," Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele has said.

Wray is also survived by her two step-children, Cole and Reagan.

Her brother Thomas Wray set up a gofundme account for her two young boys soon after she died. As of Thursday morning, $19,466 out of a $50,000 goal had been raised. To donate, click here.

"All funds will be put into a holding account for my sister's children until they are adults, and the funds will be withdrawn into these two accounts setup by my father Robert Wray," her brother said on gofundme.

Photo: Courtesy of Berkeley Township