Remembering the Fallen: One aerialist, many veterans, all Troopers who gave everything

Every month, New Jersey 101.5 looks back on the lives of New Jersey State Troopers who died in the line of duty.

This month, we remember seven troopers who died in past Februaries. Among them are several veterans, a trooper who survived being shot only to die later in a crash, and a Scottish-born aerialist who spent 15 years in Vaudeville before joining the New Jersey State Police.

Before you read on to the stories of troopers who gave their all, we'd also like to invite you to help New Jersey 101.5 celebrate #BlueFriday — host Bill Spadea's effort to recognize any law enforcement officer who went above and beyond the line of duty. Maybe the officer was a hero to dozens of people in a daring rescue. Maybe he or she was hero just to you, with a simple act of kindness.

Tweet to @NJ1015 and @BillSpadea with the hashtag #bluefriday, or message us on Facebook, and share his or her story. We may highlight the officer's heroism in a coming week.

These stories are as shared by the New Jersey State Police, with minor editing.

Feb. 5: Bertram T. Zimmerman III

Bertram T. Zimmerman III was born on August 29, 1971, in Camden. He was a graduate of Highland High School, Gloucester County College and Rutgers University. He played baseball for his high school and colleges, and with the Tri-County Hardenberg/Petes.

Prior to enlisting in the New Jersey State Police, Zimmerman was also a special police officer for Gloucester Township and then an officer for the Evesham Township Police Department.

Zimmerman enlisted in the New Jersey State Police on March 14, 2001, as a member of the 119th Class, and was stationed at Woodbine Station in Troop “A.” He assigned to the Troop “A” Tactical Patrol Unit at the time of his death. His service with the New Jersey State Police was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of his duty and faithful and honorable devotion to the principles of the New Jersey State Police.

Zimmerman died as a result of injuries received while in the performance of duty.

Zimmerman was working as part of a team of state troopers and detectives investigating recent armed robberies at area convenience stores. At approximately 2:59 a.m., on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, Zimmerman was responding to assist a robbery call in the Dennisville area when he lost control of his troop car and struck a utility pole on state highway 83 near US 9 in Dennis Township, Cape May County. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Zimmerman served two years and seven months with the New Jersey State Police.

He is survived by his wife, his mother and two sisters. Zimmerman was 32 years old.

Feb. 18: Charles E. Ullrich

Charles E. Ullrich was born on Aug. 21, 1900 in Paterson, and he resided in New Brunswick. He served in the United States Navy from 1919 to 1923 and achieved the rank of boatswains mate, 2nd class. Prior to enlisting in the New Jersey State Police, he worked as a carpenter’s helper and rigger.

He enlisted in the New Jersey State Police on Sept. 1, 1923 as a member of the 7th Class and was stationed at Troop B Morristown at the time of his death. His service with the New Jersey State Police was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty and faithful and energetic devotion to the high principles of the New Jersey State Police.

Ullrich’s death was the result of gunshot wounds suffered while in the performance of duty.

On Feb. 17, 1926, Trooper Ullrich and Trooper Matthew McMannus were detailed to assist the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office to gather evidence on disorderly houses in Passaic County. While on an investigation of a house known as the French Hills Hotel, a notorious roadhouse outside of the city of Paterson, their identity became known to the operators. They were attacked and fired upon by the proprietor and his assistants. In the exchange of gunshots, Ullrich was killed and McMannus was wounded (note: McManus also died on duty in a February; the story of his service is shared further below).

Ullrich served 2 years and 5 months with the New Jersey State Police.

He was survived by his wife. Ullrich was 26 years old.

Feb. 19: Raymond P. Fiola

Raymond P. Fiola was born on Dec. 24, 1924 in Wallington and he resided in Toms River.

Fiola enlisted in the New Jersey State Police on May 1, 1955 as a member of the 48th State Police Class. He was assigned to Troops C and E. He was assigned to Troop C, Riverton and later to the Princeton Substation. His service with the Division was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty and faithful and energetic devotion to the principles of the New Jersey State Police.

Fiola died as a result of an automobile accident while in the line of duty.

At 8 a.m. on Feb. 19, 1962, Fiola was riding with another trooper to Division Headquarters for in-training classes. As they were driving their troop car along Route 526 in Millstone Township, the car began to swerve from side to side when the brakes were applied to slow down for a school bus. As the wheel was turned to miss an oncoming vehicle, the troop car ran off the road and slid down the embankment into a tree. Fiola suffered internal injuries. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Dr. Farmers Hospital.

Fiola served 6 years and 10 months with the New Jersey State Police.

Fiola was survived by his wife, a 15 year-old daughter and a 4 year-old son. He was 37 years old.

Feb. 19: James Scotland

James "Scottie" Scotland was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on Aug. 7, 1897, moving to New Jersey in 1908.

He received a grammar school education at the 15th Avenue School in Newark. Before entering the New Jersey State Police, he spent 15 years touring the country as an aerial gymnast in the Wilson-Aubrey Trio Vaudeville act.

During World War I, he served with the United States Coast Artillery from October 1918 to February 1919, receiving the rank of Bugler First Class. He resided in Jersey City.

Scotland enlisted with the New Jersey State Police on April 16, 1931 as a member of the 24th State Police Class and was assigned to Troop C, Columbus. His service with the Department was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty, and faithful and energetic devotion to the principles of the New Jersey State Police.

Trooper Scotland met his death as a result of an automobile accident while in the performance of his duty.

On Feb. 16, 1935, Scotland and fellow Trooper George Wustefeld were riding in a troop car through fog. The troop car met another car in a head-on collision. Scotland died three days later from injuries received in the accident.

Scotland served 3 years and 10 months with the New Jersey State Police.

Scotland was survived by his wife. He was 37 years old.

Feb. 22: Michael J. Beylon

Michael J. Beylon was born in Philadelphia on March 6, 1903. He attended St. Mary's School in Elizabeth.

Prior to his enlistment in the New Jersey State Police, he was employed as a rigger with the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey. He was also a member of Company B, 114th Infantry, New Jersey National Guard, from 1923 to 1926. He resided in Elizabeth.

Beylon enlisted with the New Jersey State Police on March 16, 1927 as a member of the 14th State Police Class and he was assigned to Troop A and later to Troop B, Somerville. His service with the New Jersey State Police was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty and faithful and energetic devotion to the principles of the New Jersey State Police.

The death of Beylon resulted from injuries received in a motorcycle accident in the line of duty.

On the evening of Feb. 22, 1932, Beylon was riding along State Highway 29 in North Plainfield Township when he ran into a car that had stopped suddenly. He lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown into the center of the highway, where he was struck by another car coming in the opposite direction.

Beylon served 4 years and 11 months with the New Jersey State Police.

Beylon was survived by his parents, two brothers and four sisters. He was 29 years old.

Feb. 27: Sergeant Theodore Moos

Theodore Moos was born on Sept. 4, 1943 in Stratford and was raised in Clementon. He graduated from Overbook High School, where he played football. He resided in Berlin.

Prior to joining the New Jersey State Police, he attended Camden County Community College and worked for the Owens-Corning Fiberglas company. He was very active in youth athletic leagues and coached basketball and baseball for many years.

Moos enlisted in the New Jersey State Police on March 5, 1971 as a member of the 84th class. He was stationed at Troop A, Bellmawr at the time of his death. His service with the New Jersey State Police was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty and faithful and energetic devotion to the high principals of the New Jersey State Police.

Moos died on February 27, 1987 due to multiple injuries received from a motor vehicle accident in the line of duty.

On Jan. 29, 1987, Moos was assisting a state trooper with the investigation of a motor vehicle accident. He was diverting northbound traffic from the right lane of State Highway 42 at Mile Post 14.1 in Bellmawr He had a flare in his hand to signal northbound traffic. A northbound vehicle in the right lane struck a wrecker parked on the shoulder of the highway and then struck Sergeant Moos. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital Trauma Unit, where he died on Feb. 27.

Moos served 15 years and 11 months with the New Jersey State Police.

He was survived by his wife and three children; two daughters ages 23 and 20 and a son age 15. Moos was 43 years old.

Feb. 28 : Matthew McManus

Matthew McMannus was born on May 3, 1895 in Newark, and resided in Morristown. He graduated from St. James High School in Newark. Prior to enlisting in the New Jersey State Police, he worked as a mechanic and a pipe-fitter. From September 1917 to April 1918, he served in the United States Army First Air Service Regiment.

He enlisted in the New Jersey State Police on April 1, 1922 as a member of the Second Class and was stationed at Troop B Netcong at the time of his death. His service with the New Jersey State Police was characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty and faithful and energetic devotion to the high principles of the New Jersey State Police.

McManus died as the result of injuries received in a motorcycle accident in the line of duty.

On July 16, 1922 McManus was severely injured when he was thrown from a motorcycle near Hackettstown in Warren County. He was taken to the Dover General Hospital, where he was operated on for the ruptured second portion of his small intestine, which was completely severed.

He returned to duty in 1923, but was frequently hospitalized due to the injuries he received. On April 1, 1927 he was placed on a disability pension. On Feb. 28, 1938, McManus died.

He served 5 years with the New Jersey State Police.

McManus was survived by his wife and two children — a daughter aged 12 and a 5 year old son. McManus was 43 years old.