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Blocks lined with police, mourners and bystanders from some of the farthest corners of this and other states fell silent, the only sound the thwapping of a police chopper overhead, as the hearse bearing the Jersey City hero’s body appeared in the distance on Bergen Avenue.
The pipers and drummers stopped playing. Scores of motorcycle cops cuts their engines. Thousands remained mum, in tribute to the courageous public servant who was shot in the side of the face after storming the apartment of an armed robber who’d just fired at one of his colleagues.
Heartfelt words of tribute followed during DiNardo’s funeral Mass. But in the humidity of a sweltering July morning, even ordinary citizens stood at attention as his flag-draped casket was carried into St. Aedans R.C. Church.
DiNardo’s wife, Mary, cried silently as she clutched their youngest daughter, Ella, 1, one of three children now without a dad — a former 10-year department who was promoted to detective as he lay on his deathbed.
As anyone who has attended such a spectacle will tell you, there are no images, visual or otherwise, to convey the shared heartbreak. Those who came today did so to honor and respect a brother-in-arms slain in the line of duty — but, more importantly, to show those he left behind that he didn’t die needlessly.
No matter what any of us felt in those places of the heart where no one else may go, we came to stand together as sentries — motionless, respectful.
We came to serve as witnesses, as mourners, as historians.
But, most of all, we came as fellow human beings, lining shoulder-to-shoulder, so that Marc Antony DiNardo’s loved ones would be able to stand on us.
“The just man though he die early be at rest,” Police Department Chaplain Kevin Carter, a Catholic priest, told mourners during the homily.
“He is fine. He is OK. What about us?”
The residents of Jersey City got to stand on Marc’s shoulders for 10 years.
Detective Marc Antony DiNardo
It was time, in our own way, to repay that respect.
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For a brilliant photo show by the Star Ledger of Newark, click here.
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PHOTOS (LEFT) BY CLIFFVIEWPILOT LLC. USE WITHOUT PERMISSION PROHIBITED.
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The area’s finest will turn out in full force and regalia to honor slain Jersey City Detective Marc DiNardo when a funeral Mass is celebrated at 10:30 this morning at Saint Aedan’s Church, a short walk from Journal Square.
Speakers will include Chief Thomas Comey, Deputy Director Arthur Pease (retired Deputy Chief, JCPD) and godfather to Detective DiNardo, P.O. Dennis Long, and Marc’s brother, Christopher.
“Marc was an inspiration to all of his community, and with that we must remember the sincere warmth and kindness that he consistently demonstrated throughout his life.” said Jersey City Detective Lt. Edgar Martinez. “As we grieve we must be mindful of the legacy [he] left — one of courage, compassion, dedication, devotion to duty, and love of thy neighbor.”
The procession will begin at 9:30 a.m. at McLaughlin Memorial Funeral Home on nearby Pavonia Avenue.
(NOTE: Jersey City Police have issued a gridlock alert. Click here to find out what streets will be closed and where you CAN’T park.)
The following was written by Detective Lt. Martinez:
“Detective Marc DiNardo, a ten year veteran, died in the performance of his official duties. We share the loss with his devoted family and strive to comfort them.
“Detective Marc DiNardo was a decorated police officer and during his police career distinguished himself by receiving two Commendations for Valor, seven Excellent Police Service Awards, the World Trade Center Award, the Unit Citation.
“In connection with the tragic death of Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo and the outpouring of sympathy for his family and friends, Mayor Jerramiah Healy has bestowed The Medal of Valor to Detective Marc DiNardo who gave his life which is the ultimate sacrifice anyone can ask of any dedicated police officer. Mayor Healy, the City Council will present Detective DiNardo’s wife with a replica of the Medal of Valor.
“Police Director Samuel Jefferson and Police Chief Thomas Comey will bestow the police departments’ highest award, the Honorable Mention to Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo for his bravery under extreme conditions in combat. The Honorable Mention is awarded for conspicuous heroism in which the officer, at perilous risk to their life, performed their duty, in such a manner, as to reflect courage, dedication and initiative native to professional law enforcement officers.
“The police departments’ second highest award, the Combat Cross will also be awarded to Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo for his heroism by Director Jefferson and Chief Comey. The Combat Cross is awarded for distinguished performance of an act of gallantry and intrepidity at imminent personal hazard of life in the performance of duty.
“In addition, Fraternal Order of Police State President Edward Branigan, and Sergeant Walter G. Kierce, President of the Jersey City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4, will bestow the Medal of Honor to Detective Marc DiNardo. The Medal of Honor is the highest award that the Fraternal Order of Police can bestow.
“The line of March for the procession will include the following:
* Special Patrol Bureau Motorcycles and out of town police motorcycles.
* Honor Guards: Fraternal Order of Police, Emerald Society, Hispanic Law Enforcement.
* Police Director Samuel Jefferson and Police Chief Thomas Comey.
* North District Commander, Captain Philip Zacche and North District Personnel.
* East District Commander, Captain Brian Gallagher and East District Personnel.
* West District Commander, Captain Mark Hussey and West District Personnel.
* South District Commander, Captain Charles Nierstedt and South District Personnel.
* Operations Division Commander, Inspector Hugh Donaghue and Division Personnel.
* Investigations Division Commander, Inspector Robert Kilduff and Division Personnel.
* Street Crimes Commander, Captain Kenneth Teschlog and Assigned Personnel.
* Jersey City Fire Department, Director Armando Roman and Fire Chief Michael O’Reilly and Uniformed Personnel.
* Jersey City Emergency Medical Services Personnel
* Emergency Services Squad
* Jersey City Police and Port Authority Police Pipe and Drum Band and out of town bagpipe bands.
* Hearse carrying Detective Marc Anthony Dinardo
* Vehicles carrying flowers, casket and uniformed pallbearers, family members, friends.
* Mayor Jerramiah Healy and City Council Members.
* Jersey City Police Vehicles.
“When the procession arrives at Saint Aedan’s Church, the out-of-town officers and Jersey City Police Officers will stand at attention and salute as the casket and family members are taken into the church.
“At the conclusion of the Catholic Ceremony, after the final commendation and prayer, the officers will again stand at attention as the casket is returned to the hearse and Bugler Paul Berman plays taps. The cortege will proceed to Holy Cross Cemetery located in North Arlington, New Jersey for burial.”
(A): St. Aedens
NOTE: Jersey City police issued gridlock alert from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Any vehicle parked in these designated “no parking areas” will be towed:
*Montgomery St from Summit Ave to Kennedy Blvd
* Bergen Ave from Sip Ave to Fairmount Ave.
*Tuers Ave from Mercer St to Montgomery St
*Glenwood Ave from Bergen Ave to Kennedy Blvd
*Mercer St from Summit Ave to Bergen Ave
*Tuers Ave from Vroom St to Mercer Street
*Corneilson Ave from Bright St to Fairmount Ave
At 8 a.m., these street will be temporary closed until the procession has moved through:
*Sip Ave to Summit Ave
*Newkirk St to Summit Ave
*Academy St to Summit Ave
*Vroom St to Summit Ave
*Academy St to Summit Ave
*Mercer St to Summit Ave
*Highland Ave to Kennedy Blvd
*Montgomery St to Summit Ave
*Bergen Ave to Sip Ave
*Bergen Ave to Academy St
*Montgomery St to Kennedy Blvd
*Bergen Ave to Fairmount Ave
*Monticello Ave to Fairmount Ave
*Glenwood Ave to Kennedy Blvd
*Montgomery St to Westside Ave
*Glenwood Ave to Westside Ave
*Stuyvesant St to Westside Ave
*Sip Ave to Westside Ave
*Pavonia Ave to Westside Ave
*Broadway Ave to Westside Ave
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