Hundreds mourn fallen officer in Cliffside Park

CLIFFSIDE PARK, N.J. (AP) — Hundreds of police officers and mourners attended a church service for a special officer killed in an accident last weekend.

Stephen Petruzzello was a special officer in Cliffside Park for about a month before he was struck by a sport utility vehicle last Saturday while on a foot patrol. He died two days later and was promoted posthumously to full-time officer.

Area where Officer Stephen Petruzzello was hit by an SUV in Cliffside Park (ABC 7)

The Record of Woodland Park reports that officers from police departments across the region attended the funeral Saturday morning at Epiphany Roman Catholic Church.

Public officials also attended the services, including state Sen. Paul Sarlo and Bergen County Executive James Tedesco.

Another special officer was injured in the crash but is expected to survive.

As a special officer, Petruzzello could make arrests but did not carry a gun.