Newark, N.J. – The Archdiocese of Newark will honor New Jersey’s law enforcement officers — including those who lost their lives in the line of duty — at its 32nd Annual Blue Mass on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. The solemn ceremony will feature police honor guard units, bagpipers and drummers paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who protect the community.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will preside over the Mass, which will be attended by law enforcement officers of all faiths representing federal, state, county and municipal departments and agencies. They will be joined by families of deceased officers as well as community members and public officials who wish to show their support.

“The Blue Mass at the Cathedral Basilica is a perfect place to celebrate the service of police officers and remember those we have lost,” said Chief Christopher Trucillo of the NJ Transit Police Department, the Blue Mass’ honorary chairman. “Cardinal Tobin’s presence in the liturgy and his words of solace during his homily always bring comfort to all in attendance and remind those of us in law enforcement that we are the ‘peacemakers who will be called the sons of God.’”

This year’s Blue Mass will pay tribute to seven local officers who died after distinguished careers, including those who succumbed to 9/11-related illnesses more than 20 years after bravely responding to the World Trade Center attacks.

The full list of honorees is: Sergeant Joseph Azcona of the Newark Police Department, Sheriffs Officer Justin Rivera of the Hudson County Sheriffs Office, Major Jeffrey A. Burke of the New Jersey State Police, Sergeant James J. Puhalski of the New Jersey State Police, Sergeant Steven E. Blecki of the Spring Lake Police Department, SCPO Erick J. Whitaker of the New Jersey Department of Corrections and Corporal Raymond Kuuchi of the Veterans Affairs Police.

“Police officers dedicate their lives to serving others with the full knowledge that they could lose their life fulfilling that commitment,” Chief Trucillo said. “This remembrance and celebration of their lives provides an opportunity for all of law enforcement to come together to honor their sacrifice and offer support to their grieving families.”

For more information on the Blue Mass, contact Vincent Nardone and William Schievella at 1-800-427-7651 or newarkbluemass@gmail.com.

About the Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics across northern New Jersey’s Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, the Archdiocese includes 211 parishes, 67 Catholic schools and numerous missions and ministries committed to faith, education and social service. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.

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Media Contact: Sean Quinn | Archdiocese of Newark | Office of Communications | Sean.Quinn@rcan.org | 973-497-4248