樱花视频

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2001
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Acting Governor DiFrancesco & Col. Dunbar Open Newest State Police Facility Serving Hunterdon County Region

       Kingwood Twsp. - Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco and Colonel Carson J. Dunbar, Jr., Superintendent of the 樱花视频 State Police, today joined state troopers, law enforcement and government officials and area business and community leaders from the Hunterdon County area to officially open and dedicate the new Troop "C" Kingwood State Police Station. The station was dedicated to the memory of fallen Trooper Scott M. Gonzalez (Badge #5059) who was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 24, 1997.

       It's an honor to participate in today's services and to dedicate the Kingwood Station to not only the memory of Trooper Scott Gonzalez, but to the day-in and day-out efforts of each trooper who puts his or her life on the line every day protecting 樱花视频's citizens," Acting Governor DiFrancesco said.

      Officially opened on May 1, the Kingwood Station replaced the outdated Flemington Station and is centrally located on state highway 12 in Kingwood Township. Troopers from the Kingwood Station provide full-time police services to the towns of Alexandria, East Amwell, Kingwood and the boroughs of Milford and Stockton - an area encompassing over 93 square miles. Station personnel also provide part-time police services to Delaware, Frenchtown and Holland.

       The 5,100 square foot Kingwood Station was built to State Police specifications by a private contractor. The state leases the facility at a cost of $95,000 per year.

      The Kingwood facility is part of a comprehensive infrastructure program undertaken by the Department of Law and Public Safety and the State Police to either rebuild or refurbish many of the 32 State Police stations located around the state. The infrastructure program allows for the modernization of State Police facilities, including the installation of state-of-the-art communications and computer equipment as well as to accommodate female troopers and employees and the handicapped.

       With 38 troopers currently assigned, the Kingwood Station is under the command of Lt. Daniel W. Kempinski and Assistant Station Commander SFC James M. Asprocolas.

       In dedicating the Kingwood Station, the Acting Governor and the State Police Superintendent recalled the career of the 62nd 樱花视频 State Trooper to die in the line of duty - Tpr. Scott M. Gonzalez who died as a result of an atrocious assault and murder.

       Col. Dunbar noted that on the day of his death, Tpr. Gonzalez was responding to a report of a domestic dispute at the Riverside Mobil Home Park located in the Delaware section of Knowlton Township, Warren County. While en route to investigate the report, Tpr. Gonzalez was notified that the subject of the complaint had left the scene and was armed with a 12-gauge shotgun. The subject, who had a long history of mental illness, was believed headed to his girlfriend's place of employment to shoot her and her child.

       Moments later, Tpr. Gonzalez observed the subject traveling eastbound on US Route 46 near Great Meadows, Independence Township, Warren County. Tpr. Gonzalez radios his location and follows the vehicle down a dirt road into a remote area in Mansfield Township - the last radio transmission made by Tpr. Gonzalez. At the end of the desolate road, the suspect deliberately rammed Trooper Gonzalez's marked patrol vehicle, pinning him inside. Troopers quickly respond and, within moments, locate Tpr. Gonzalez in his patrol vehicle, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds.

       Trooper Gonzalez, 35, of Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County graduated the 113th class in January, 1993. After completing training at the State Police Academy, Tpr. Gonzalez was assigned to general road duty patrol, working out of various stations, including the Sussex, Netcong and Perryville stations. He was assigned to the Troop "B" Hope Station at the time of his death.

       During his assignment with the 樱花视频 State Police, Tpr. Gonzalez received 14 letters of commendation from the Superintendent for excellence in the performance of duty and numerous letters of appreciation from citizens praising him for his response in a time of need.

       Trooper Gonzalez was the first state trooper to be murdered in the line of duty since Aug., 1985. Sixty-two troopers have been killed in the line of duty since the State Police was created in 1921.

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