This morning, first responders and law enforcement officers from around the state gathered together to honor the public safety professionals, and their families, who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Covid-19 pandemic and were not afforded a proper tribute when they died.

Forty-four law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters and emergency responders were recognized for their service, including Lakewood Police officer Joseph Goertz, Gerard Rick of the Ocean County Prosecutors office and Mathew Horton of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.