Duty Death: Stephen Petruzzello - [Cliffside Park]
End of Service: 29/12/2014
By Police1 Staff
CLIFFSIDE PARK, N.J. — A special police officer died Monday morning, two days after he was struck by an SUV while on foot patrol with another officer.
Cliffside Park Police Officer Stephen Petruzzello, 22, was patrolling with fellow special officer Thaier Abdallah when both men were struck by a Honda CR-V Saturday night, according to NJ.com.
Abdallah was released from Hackensack University Hospital on Sunday.
Petruzzello died after undergoing surgery.
Cliffside spokesman William Maer said police cited driver Anie Kalayjian, 62, with several motor vehicle violations, but did not specify which violations.
“This is clearly the saddest day I have had during my tenure as chief of the department,” Police Chief Richard Gaito said. “Officer Petruzzello was a bright, hardworking man, with a lifetime of potential before him.”
Special police officers are unarmed and have limited law enforcement powers. Both men joined the department in November, according to the report.
“Today Cliffside Park lost a future leader and a dedicated police officer,” police commissioner and councilman Kenneth Corcoran said.