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Trooper Hilary Welenc

Hilary Welenc was born in Burlington, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ on January 14, 1929. He resided in Burlington all of his life.

Trooper Welenc enlisted with the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police on November 26, 1952 as a member of the 42nd State Police Class. He was assigned to "Region A" and later to the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Turnpike. His service with the Division was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty and faithful and energetic devotion to the principles of the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police.

Trooper Welenc died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident while in the line of duty.

At approximately 8:35 a.m. on November 20, 1959, Trooper Welenc was assisting a disabled motorist change a flat tire at milepost 31 on the southbound Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Turnpike in Delaware Township, Camden County. The troop car was parked behind the disabled vehicle and Trooper Welenc and the disabled motorist were between the two vehicles. A southbound tractor trailer struck the rear of the troop car, pinning Trooper Welenc and the disabled motorist between the cars, causing extensive multiple internal and external injuries.

Trooper Welenc was taken to West Jersey Hospital in Camden, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ where he was pronounced dead on arrival. (The disabled motorist, too, was pronounced dead on arrival at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden).

Trooper Welenc served 6 years and 11 months with the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ State Police.

Trooper Welenc was survived by his wife, a 2 year-old son and a 1 year-old daughter. He was 30 years old.