ThinBlueNews remembers Police Officer Christopher Mark Goodell of the Waldwick Police Department on the 12th anniversary of his End of Watch, Thursday, July 17, 2014.
The Officer Down Memorial Page records that Officer Goodell, 32, died in the line of duty while conducting traffic enforcement on Route 17 in Waldwick, New Jersey. His marked patrol vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer shortly before 1:30 a.m. near Bergen Avenue. This anniversary remembrance avoids graphic detail and focuses on his service, sacrifice and continuing legacy.
Service to country and community
New Jersey Executive Order No. 160, issued after his death, says Goodell grew up in Waldwick, graduated from Waldwick High School in 2000 and served in the United States Marine Corps before joining the Waldwick Police Department. The order describes him as an experienced radar and traffic officer and notes that the New Jersey chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving recognized his work to combat impaired driving in June 2014.
ODMP lists Goodell's badge number as 38 and records five years of service with the department. The state order described him as a devoted son and fiancé and directed flags at New Jersey state facilities to be lowered in his honor.
A name carried forward in Waldwick
The Borough of Waldwick and its police department continue to maintain an official scholarship page in Goodell's name. The page says the scholarship was established after the community's response to his death and directs support to the Christopher Goodell Memorial Foundation.
New Jersey also designated the portion of State Highway Route 17 in Waldwick as the Christopher Goodell Memorial Highway. That official designation places his name along the same route where he served the public.
This is an anniversary remembrance, offered with respect for Officer Goodell's family, fiancée, friends, fellow officers, fellow Marines and the Waldwick community that continues to honor him.
Police Officer Christopher Goodell's End of Watch is remembered not only in the record of his sacrifice, but also in the scholarship, memorial highway and community service carried forward in his name.
End of Watch
Police Officer Christopher Mark Goodell
Waldwick Police Department, New Jersey
Badge 38
End of Watch: Thursday, July 17, 2014
Support the organization preserving officer memorial records
ODMP maintains the national memorial record for fallen law-enforcement officers and provides resources connected to fallen officers and their families.
Sources and image attribution
- Officer Down Memorial Page: Police Officer Christopher Mark Goodell
- Borough of Waldwick Police Department: Officer Goodell Scholarship
- State of New Jersey: Executive Order No. 160 honoring Police Officer Christopher Goodell
- State of New Jersey: law designating the Christopher Goodell Memorial Highway
- ODMP donation page
Featured-image note: ThinBlueNews used the official Police Officer Christopher Goodell portrait published by the Borough of Waldwick and added a restrained memorial design with visible source attribution. No synthetic likeness or representative incident image was used. ThinBlueNews does not claim ownership of the source portrait.
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