Community Mourns Saddle Brook Officer Who Died Of Cancer

SADDLE BROOK, NJ – Saddle Brook Police Officer Michael Juliano,who died last week following a six month battle with pancreatic cancer,was laid to rest Tuesday morning.

The services at St. Leo's Roman Catholic Church drew law enforcement from across northern New Jersey, as well as government officials, emergency services, friends, colleagues and family of the 19-year veteran of the police force.

Following the mass, the 47-year-old Saddle Brook resident was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

“The ability of our entire police department to attend and participate in the funeral services was made possible by our neighboring police departments dispatching and answering calls for service. We are forever grateful to them, and especially Elmwood Park, Garfield and Fair Lawn Police Departments and all our PBA Local 102 Police Departments for their overwhelming assistance and support during this most difficult time,” the police department said in a statement on social media.

“We would also like to thank those who may have offered donations to the Elmwood Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps and to other causes in Memory of Officer Juliano.”

The department also thanked the Elmwood Park and Saddle Brook fire departments, New Jersey Honor Guard Commander Robert Kneer, Pipes and Drums of Bergen County, Honor Guard Units of the Saddle Brook and Bergen County Sheriff’s Department and all other law enforcement that participated in the funeral procession’s motorcade.

After joining the force in August 2000, Juliano earned numerous awards and citations. Among those recognitions: The 200 Club of Bergen County's Life Saving Commendation and the Saddle Brook American Legion Post 415 "Police Officer of the Year" Award.

He was also given a commendation from his department for helping to apprehend the suspect in a 2013 bank robbery.

"In addition to many letters received from citizens acknowledging and praising his activities in serving as a police officer, Mike always found the time to volunteer for causes to assist those most needed," Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler said. "He was an active and passionate volunteer in benevolent fundraising activities such as the NJ Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, Wounded Warrior Project Tank Pull and the Newark Liberty International Airport Plane Pull. He was also a member of the Saddle Brook Police Department Honor Guard always taking the time to attend police funerals, memorials and parades."

Juliano leaves behind three children, a granddaughter, his mother, his brother and his sister, the chief said.

Prior to his appointment to the police department, Juliano, a Dover native, was a child care supervisor working with Youth Consultation Services in Paterson. After graduating from St. Joseph's Regional Catholic High School, Juliano went on to earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from New Jersey City University.

In lieu of flowers donations are requested for the Elmwood Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps.