NAME: Officer Melvin Lisojo, Newark Police Department, New Jersey AGE: 35 TOUR OF DUTY: 5 years BADGE NUMBER: 2303 DETAILS: Cause of Death: Vehicular assault Date of Incident: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved Suspect Info: Sentenced to 20 years.

End of Watch: June 24, 2003

Officer Lisojo was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car was broadsided by a driver that had run a red light at Bergen Street and 18th Avenue.

The driver of that vehicle was later found to be intoxicated. Officer Lisojo was the passenger in the second of three patrol cars responding to a shots fired call at 0200 hours. As Officer Lisojo's patrol car entered the intersection, it was struck broadside, causing it to flip onto its side. Officer Lisojo and his partner were both transported to University Hospital in critical condition. Officer Lisojo succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the patrol car was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, recklessly operating a vehicle and driving while intoxicated. The suspect was also wanted on several outstanding warrants, including one for an incident earlier in the year when the suspect exchanged gunfire with several Newark Officers. In late 2005, the suspect accepted a plea agreement and in January 2006, he was sentenced to 20 years; 15 years for vehicular homicide and an additional five years on several drug counts.

Officer Lisojo had served with the Newark Police Department for five years and is survived by his three children, parents, sister, and four brothers, one of whom also serves with the Newark Police Department.

The widow of Melvin Lisojo Writes:
I Gloria, want to thank you and your family for everything. The children and I don't know you, but we wish we did to thank you in person. I forgot there were people like you in this world. This gift warms my heart and it will be very useful for my children. You have put a big smile on their faces. I haven't seen them smile in a long time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
May God Bless You and Your loved ones.
Gloria Lisojo