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“The loss of Trooper Castellano is a difficult blow to absorb,” said State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes, who was at the hospital.
“The New Jersey State Police prides itself on being a family and the loss of our brother will be felt throughout the entire Division of State Police,” Fuentes said. “Trooper Castellano was the embodiment of the finest ideals of the New Jersey State Police.
“The entire State Police Family extends its very deepest condolences to [his] family,” the colonel said.
Castellano, who graduated with the 136th New Jersey State Police Academy Training Class in September 2004, was a member of the Troop “C” Tactical Patrol Unit.
He was struck around 10 a.m. today while assisting in a search for the occupants of an abandoned car, one of whom — a 30-year-old woman who was driving the car — was found, State Police said.
Earlier Sunday, Gov. Christopher Christie asked attendees at a luncheon in Mahwah today to pray for Castellano and his family.
For more on the story: Governor prays for trooper struck by car in search
Paramus Police Ceremonial Honor Guard
CLIFFVIEWPILOT.COM file photo (Ocean Grove, 2009) by Jerry DeMarco
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