Set In Stone: Bloomfield Mourns 2 Cops Who Died In Line Of Duty

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Although they served more than a hundred years apart, William Mertz and James Peri share a common place in the hearts of Bloomfield’s policing community.

Last week, Bloomfield police officers and community members gathered for a stirring tribute to the late detectives, who each died in the line of duty.

Mertz, died in 1915 while attempting to arrest a murder suspect. Peri passed away in 2021 from complications related to the coronavirus. Read More: Bloomfield Detective Dies After 'Lengthy Battle With COVID'

Bloomfield police released a message of mourning about Friday’s ceremony on social media:

“Today we commemorate Detective William Mertz and Detective James Peri who died in the line of duty serving the Township of Bloomfield. Although they served more than a hundred years apart, they share a legacy with all members of the Bloomfield Police Department of bravery, commitment and a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our great community. Both Detective Mertz and Detective Peri’s names have been placed on a monument in front of Police Headquarters.”

"Although Detectives Mertz and Peri served more than a hundred years apart, they share a legacy with all members of the Bloomfield Police Department of bravery, commitment, and a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our great community,” Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia previously said.

“No matter how much time passes our gratitude to them and their families will never waver, and with this commemoration they will always have a permanent place in Bloomfield and our hearts,” Venezia said.

“While Detectives Mertz and Peri served this agency decades apart, they both shared a common commitment to service to our great township that led to them both making the ultimate sacrifice in our profession,” Bloomfield Public Safety Director Samuel DeMaio said.

“This monument being dedicated today will literally etch their names and legacy in stone,” DeMaio said. “As they were members of this great department in life, their memories will resonate with each and every member of this agency for generations to come – one department, one family.”

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