WALDWICK, N.J. -- The official dedication of a stretch of Route 17 in Waldwick the Christopher Goodell Memorial Highway will take place Wednesday in honor of the fallen hero.
“It is a very fitting and touching tribute to a great officer,” Lt. Douglas Moore told Daily Voice.
A ceremonial unveiling of the sign designating the stretch of highway is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in front of the municipal public safety building -- also named for Goodell -- on East Prospect Street.
Goodell was working a radar detail in his unmarked cruiser, parked on the shoulder of southbound Route 17, when it was struck by an 18-wheeler driven by a Brooklyn trucker the morning of July 17, 2014.
The impact instantly killed him.
A grand jury in Hackensack a month ago refused to bring vehicular manslaughter charges against the driver. Motor vehicle summonses charging Cumberbatch, 31, with reckless driving and failing to maintain a proper lane were to be heard in Waldwick Municipal Court.
“Words cannot describe the remorse everyone feels over the tragic loss of Officer Goodell,” said Assemblyman Dave Russo, a co-sponsor of the bill that renamed the stretch of highway. “He was the epitome of selfless public service. Commemorating his name is one way no one will ever forget the honor with which he served.”
“Officer Goodell’s life was marked by protecting and assisting the public,” added Assemblyman Scott Rumana, another co-sponsor. “Whether putting himself in harm’s way in the military or serving as a police officer, his life was dedicated to caring for others. His commitment to keeping us safe will never be forgotten as we fittingly pay tribute to a fallen hero.”
Goodell, 32, joined the U.S. Marine Corps after being graduated from Waldwick High School in 2000. He served with the Waldwick Police Department for five years and was honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s New Jersey chapter for outstanding efforts in drunk driving enforcement.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Northern Highlands and receive free news updates.
