Slain JCPD Detective's Family Gets Special American Dream Trip

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The family of late Jersey City Police Detective Joseph Seals received a whirlwind trip on New Year's Eve to check out the attractions at American Dream.

The day also included a special gift from New Jersey State Police and the New York Jets, which teamed up to give Seals' kids personalized jerseys and gear.

"Great job by everyone involved that made the tribute possible for the Seals family!"state police said in a social media post.

An American Dream spokesman said the Dec. 31 visit, which also included some of the fallen detective's colleagues, was organized by Seals' cousin, Joe Smith, and the police department.

"We were more than happy to provide them with a fun-filled day to get their minds off everything that is going on, enjoy the holidays and spend a few hours being kids. They were at American Dream for a few hours in the afternoon – they had lunch, toured American Dream (specifically Big SNOW and DreamWorks Water Park), skated at The Rink, shopped in IT’SUGAR with gift cards provided by the brand, and rode rides at Nickelodeon Universe," an American Dream spokesman said.

Seals, 39, a married father of five, was among six people killed on Dec. 10 –including two suspects and three civilians – in an hours-long gun battle in Jersey City.

Nearly $700,000 was raised in a GoFundMe campaign. And the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers charity said that it would take care of the mortgage on the family's North Arlington home.

American Dream, the massive $5 billion Meadowlands shopping and entertainment venue opened Oct. 25 unveiling Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park and an NHL-size ice rink. IT'SUGAR, the world's first candy department store, and Big SNOW, an indoor ski and snowboard park, also opened recently.

Other attractions, shopping and dining will follow over the next several months.