LODD- Sgt. Tommaso Popolizio, Newark PD

[Guest]

Sgt. Tommaso Popolizio, 33, with 12 years on the job, was one of three brothers on the Newark police force. He leaves behind two small daughters. He lived until recently with his father on Mount Pleasant Avenue in the city's North Ward, where he and his six siblings were raised, before moving recently to Roseland.

Funeral Information will be posted as soon as available.

Newark Star Ledger:

Newark cop killed during pursuit of suspect

Posted by The Star-Ledger March 03, 2007 10:31AM

Categories: News

A veteran Newark police sergeant was killed during a crash early this morning while pursuing another patrol car that had been commandeered by a handcuffed suspect, authorities said.

TOMMASO POPOLIZIOSgt. Tommaso Popolizio, 33, was taken to University Hospital with severe head injuries shortly after the crash, which occurred just after 4 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 5:55 a.m., a hospital spokesman said.

"Our community is in grief at the loss of one of our most courageous leaders," Mayor Cory Booker said. "Sgt. Popolizio died in the line of duty and gave his life in service of our city."

The suspect, 22-year-old William Rodriguez of Cranbury, was later caught and will be charged with several crimes, including aggravated manslaughter, police said.

The crash occurred on Doremus Avenue in the industrial sector of the city's Ironbound section, near the Essex County jail. Several patrol cars had responded to the area on a report of drag racing, police said. Rodriguez, one of the people involved, attempted to flee and was pulled over a short distance away. As officers approached, they saw him try to toss a handgun out of a window, police said.

Rodriguez, who has nine previous arrests and four felony convictions, was charged with gun possession, handcuffed, and placed in the back seat of a patrol car, police said. But, while police were working to clear the rest of the scene, the suspect managed to work his handcuffed hands in front of him and somehow slipped into front seat of the empty patrol car, police said.

As he pulled away in the radio car, Popolizio and several other officers gave chase, police said.

As Popolizio, driving a marked sport utility vehicle, caught up with the stolen patrol car, the two vehicles collided, causing Popolizio to lose control, police said. The SUV flipped several times, partially ejecting him.

Rodriguez, who kept fleeing after the crash, was caught soon afterward by Port Authority police officers. He had abandoned the stolen police cruiser as well of several articles of clothing and was attempting to hide in the high grass and weeds along Doremus Avenue, police said.

After his capture, the suspect was taken to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for treatment. His condition was not immediately known. Along with aggravated manslaughter, which carries up to 20 years in state prison, the charges to be filed against Rodriguez were auto theft, eliding police, resisting arrest, escape and three gun possession charges, including possession of a defaced weapon, police said.

Popolizio, a 12-year veteran, was one of three brothers on the Newark police force. He leaves behind two small daughters. He lived until recently with his father on Mount Pleasant Avenue in the city's North Ward, where he and his six siblings were raised, before moving recently to Roseland.

Police Director Garry McCarthy praised Popolizio as a highly respected and dedicated officer "who was known for his bravery and dedication to the job."

"Today, not only have we lost a friend and a hero but a true leader by example who gave his life ensuring the safety and protection of the residents of this city," McCarthy said.

Contributed Jonathan Casiano, Nick Lioudis, Nawal Qarooni and Brendan Berls

[biglew 3]

My condolences to the family of the Sergeant and the Newark PD.

May he rest in peace.

[Guest]

Wake and Funeral Services for Sgt. Popolizio are as follows:

Farmer Funeral Home

45 Roseland Ave.

Roseland, NJ 07068

Monday March 5th: 7 pm - 9 pm

Tuesday March 6th: 2 pm - 4pm & 7 pm - 9 pm

Funeral is Wednesday at 10 am.

Sacred Heart Cathedral

89 Ridge Street

Newark, NJ 07104

[ex-commish 490]

May he rest in peace.

[gpdexplorer 46]

RIP, my condolences to the family and the PD.

On a side note, why wasnt the suspect in a caged car?