WEST TRENTON, NJ — On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way joined Colonel Patrick Callahan, Survivors of the Triangle President Michelle Carroll, and members of the State Police family at Division Headquarters in West Trenton for the Annual Survivors of the Triangle Memorial Ceremony, which honors New Jersey State Troopers who have died in the line of duty.
This year, the New Jersey State Police and Survivors of the Triangle honored Major Jeffrey Burke #5678, Sergeant James Puhalski #4098, and Trooper Marcellus Bethea #7829.
Major Burke passed away in December 2024, and Sergeant Puhalski in June 2022, both from illnesses contracted while serving in response to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Trooper Bethea died in May 2024 while training for the New Jersey State Police T.E.A.M.S. Unit at the State Police Headquarters swimming pool in Ewing, Mercer County.
Family and friends joined Colonel Callahan as he dedicated three trees in memory of Major Burke, Sergeant Puhalski, and Trooper Bethea in Dogwood Grove, a tree garden dedicated to fallen troopers.
“We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by our fallen heroes,” the department stated.
