After suicide, Princeton cops honored teen as one of their own: #BlueFriday

This week's #BlueFriday was a bit different from our norm.

Last week, the Princeton community mourned the loss of a 14-year-old Princeton High School student. Owen Bardzilowski was a PHJS freshman, and on Sept. 15 he tragically took his own life.

Anytime a young life is lost it's hard to absorb and wrap your head around. When it's suicide, it's especially trying and difficult. We learned from his family that Owen wanted to be a police officer someday. He participated in the Princeton Police Department's Youth Academy Program and earned the respect of the local officers.

Those officers lined up at the funeral home to pay their last respects, even standing guard in shifts at the young man's casket. Somehow, Owen's father, Joe, was able to gather the strength and courage to publicly acknowledge the heroes who were so admired by his son.

I thought the best way for us to acknowledge the courage of Owen's father and the tremendous work on the part of the Princeton cops with their community involvement was to ask Joe which officer stood out in his mind. That officer was Patrolman Jorge Narvaez. For that, Officer Narvaez is our #BlueFriday honoree this week.

God bless you patrolman. Keep up the strong work and dedication to our community.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the entire Bardzilowski family and the braves heroes in the Princeton Police Department.