The family of fallen Jersey City cop Melvin Santiago say they have found comfort in seeing people in Hudson County and all over the nation remember the 23-year-old as he was laid to rest Friday. In a statement released yesterday, the Santiago family gave thanks to local law enforcement, Jersey City residents and others who have offered their condolences and paid their respects to the slain police officer, whom family members affectionately referred to as Little Mel. Read the letter below: Words cant express our gratitude for the overwhelming support the Santiago family has received since the July 13 death of our beloved hero, Jersey City Police Department Detective Melvin V. Santiago (Little Mel). Although we are heartbroken, we are finding tremendous comfort in your prayers, love and kindness. There are many people to thank, but we want to begin with the National Coalition of Latino Officers (NCLO) and the Hispanic American Law Enforcement Association (HALEA). There are no words available to effectively demonstrate how much you mean to the Santiago family. Although we are still grieving Melvin’s loss, we find some solace in knowing that you worked tirelessly to quickly organize and execute Wednesday’s United States Honor Flag Ceremony. As if that alone were not enough, you and your members were there for us every step of the way and during our loneliest hour. We thank you for your professionalism and guidance through this traumatic experience. We are eternally grateful for you, and for this we say “gracias”. Thank you to all the patrol officers, the dispatchers, the detectives, the detention staff and the civilian staff who acknowledged and assisted our family. May the Lord above bless and keep each and everyone one of you safe. To the responding officers, our skilled EMS/Fire Rescue personnel and the dedicated doctors and nurses at the Jersey City Medical Center - thank you for being there for Melvin on that terrible night and for your valiant efforts to save him. To the López, Reyes, Sabater and Soto families (our loving family), our many friends and neighbors who have delivered meals, shared hugs and shed tears with us - thank you for being there for us and for your continued friendship and understanding. You are helping us more than you know. Thanks as well to all of the law enforcement officers from around the state and country who paid their respects at Melvins viewing and the funeral. Melvin would have been so proud to see you there. And we cannot say enough about the fine citizens of Jersey City and its surrounding communities. The blue ribbons, the signs in Melvins honor displayed outside local businesses, the events and initiatives being held in his memory – our family have been so grateful and overwhelmed by it all. And to the thousands of people who stood in the hot sun along Melvin’s procession - your signs, salutes, balloons and waves touched our hearts deeply. Thank you, thank you, thank you. As we continue the process of our grieving, we recognize that there are some wrongs that need to be made right, questions that need to be answered and a community in need of healing and responsive leadership, we find comfort in the love of the great people of Jersey City. Thank you all for honoring our hero. Jersey City’s greatest days are yet to come. “Lo Mejor Esta Por Venir.” Sincerely, The Santiago Family
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:22:23 +0000
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