GLOUCESTER COUNTY POLICE UNITY TOUR HONORS FRANKLIN TWP POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY (30TH Anniversary)
The Police Unity Tour arrived at Malaga Lake Park in Franklin Township, NJ around 1:45PM to take part in a re-dedication ceremony to honor the memory of Franklin Township Police Sergeant Ippolito ‘Lee’ Gonzalez on Friday, May 9th on the 30th anniversary. There were many police officers, officials, family, friends and residents who attended the memorial service in the pouring rain to show their appreciation for the years of his devoted service to the Franklin Township Police Department and the community. The mission of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
Sergeant Gonzalez died from gunshot wounds he sustained on May 6th, 1995, during a traffic stop on Route 47, Delsea Drive near the Franklin Township Police station. He was shot while checking the operator’s driver’s license. At the memorial service, two police officers unveiled a new sign at the entrance of the park that has been renamed after Sergeant Gonzalez. Franklin Township has recently installed new playground equipment and fencing at the park.
As the memorial service ended, and the officers participating in the Unity Tour were getting ready to continue their ride to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Washington. Unknown to many, Malaga Lake resident bald eagle had unexpectedly landed on the lake near the American flag. For those who were leaving and were fortunate to be passing the lake on Route 40, the eagle spread its wings as it glided across the forest canopy at treetop level as a somber reminder of the strength and courage our police officers make each day to protect our communities across America.
(photographs by Kelly Zoppel/Cindy Merckx, Editor /The Sentinel of Gloucester County Weekly Newspaper)