Union City cop killed in Route 3 crash loved serving the community, chief says

UNION CITY — As the investigation into a crash that killed Union City Police Sgt. Mark Zeitounian Sunday continues, city officials are expressing their condolences to the longtime member of the local force.

Mayor Brian P. Stack said his "heart was heavy with grief over learning of the passing of Sgt. Mark Zeitounian."

"His wife and son are in my thoughts and prayers and in the thoughts and prayers of the entire city," he said. "Mark's professionalism and kind demeanor were contagious and his memory will live on through the lives he has touched as a police officer in Union City."

After graduating from Union Hill High School and the Bergen County Police Academy, Zeitounian joined the Union City department in 1999. He worked in the patrol division. A statement from the city said he was proud of his work as a police officer, and also of being a husband and a father.

Chief Richard Molinari said the department is mourning Zeitounian's death, which comes on the heels of the death of officer Ricardo Fernandez in December.

"Sgt. Zeitounian's passing is truly heartbreaking for the department as he exemplified the professionalism and excellence of the department," he said. "He loved being a police officer and serving the community."

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office told New Jersey 101.5 there is no new information on the crash investigation and that the investigation is ongoing.

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