Community Corner
South Brunswick Police Host 23rd Annual Blue Mass Honoring Fallen Officers
The mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi remembered two fallen officers and drew hundreds from four counties.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The 23rd Annual Diocese of Metuchen Blue Mass was held on Wednesday at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen. The South Brunswick Police Department was the host agency this year. The ceremony honors law enforcement officers who serve their communities and commemorates those who died in the line of duty.
This year's mass remembered Sayreville Captain William Gawron and New Jersey Transit Police Inspector Robert Noble.
After more than a year of planning on the Blue Mass Committee, South Brunswick Police led the event for the first time.
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"It was a tremendous honor to be chosen to host the mass," Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said. "We have been coming to it for years, but this year we ran it. I am very proud of all the men and women of the South Brunswick Police Department who planned and participated in the mass."
More than 60 officers, civilian staff and retired officers from South Brunswick attended. "This was a great day to ask for blessings over all who serve in law enforcement and to support the families of those we lost," Hayducka said.
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Hundreds of law enforcement officers from Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren counties—the four counties served by the Diocese—attended what Diocese officials called one of the largest masses in the organization's history. The ceremony included a 21-gun salute and a State Police helicopter flyover.
Hayducka credited several community members and organizations for supporting the event, including Township Mayor Charlie Carley, Township Manager Bryan Bidlack, Rev. Charles T. O'Connor of St. Cecilia Church in Monmouth Junction, St. Cecilia Church ushers, Rev. Cannon Robert G. Lynam of St. Augustine of Canterbury, students from St. Augustine of Canterbury School in Kendall Park, and the Monmouth Junction Fire Department.
He also recognized the planning team of Sgt. Salvatore Fama, Lt. William Merkler, Captain John Penney, Lorena Pyne and Jackie Simon.
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