New Jersey: Cinnaminson going blue in honor of fallen state trooper

No one better understands the worry of a police officer's loved ones than Michele Peters. In September 1966, her father — Cinnaminson Police Sgt. William Peters — was shot three times while trying to break up a robbery in town. He survived the wounds and retired as a lieutenant several years later.

That's why it hit home for his daughter when she heard about New Jersey State Police Trooper Sean Cullen , who died Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle while on the scene of a fire on I-295 in West Deptford on Monday night.

So like many other in Cinnaminson, where Cullen was raised and lived with his young family, Peters jumped at the chance to help sell blue ribbons in honor of the fallen trooper, with the proceeds benefiting the Cullen's family, including his nine-month-old son, Seamus. Efforts to honor Cullen have been ongoing since his death.

From the ribbons to blue lights on buildings in town to fundraisers, the community is showing it support. In just days, an online gofundme.com drive has raised more than $116,000 for Cullen's family. Hundreds came out for a vigil in Westampton on Thursday, and Gov. Chris Christie has ordered flags to be flown at half staff in Cullen's honor.

On Monday, students at Cullen's alma mater, Cinnaminson High School, students will be wearing blue in his memory.

On Saturday, a group 20 to 30 residents tied up the blue ribbon bows and sold them at $5 a pop in the front lobby of the ShopRite on Route 130 south in Cinnaminson.

Just before noon, township resident Kelly Huber, who spearheaded the effort, estimated they made about $4,000 that day alone. They'd made about the same amount the day before, at Hunter's Farm Market on Union Landing Road.

The sales began on Thursday, after the group had gathered to plan.

"After day one, we had made $2,000 already," Huber said. She added they were able to obtain the ribbons with the help of A.C. Moore stores in Mount Laurel, Voorhees and Deptford.

At the start, the volunteers bought the ribbons, and A.C. Moore made them into bows at no cost. But soon, the group members were learning to tie the bows themselves.

"Obviously, there was a learning curve, because we've never done this," Huber said. "I just learned how to make a bow." She added that, altogether, roughly 100 volunteers had done hands-on work for the effort, and another 100 had helped out in other ways, such as donating ribbons.

Peters got involved wherever she was needed.

"I've been making bows, collecting money, taking orders, doing it all," she said. "Wherever there's a hole, I'm filling in."

She added that "Operation Blue Ribbon," as Huber dubbed it, had turned out to be more successful than organizers had imagined.

"We thought it would be big, but we didn't think it was going to be this big," Peters said. "I think the whole town is going to be blue."

Cullen, 31, had been a trooper for about two years and previously worked as an officer in Mount Holly and Westampton.

Cullen, who was stationed in the state police's Buena Vista and Bellmawr stations, is survived by his finance, who is expecting, and their 9-month-old son, as well as his mother, father, two brothers and sister.

A viewing for Cullen will be held Sunday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Monday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church at Branch Pike and Pomona Road in Cinnaminson.

A funeral Mass will be held at the church Monday at noon. The proceedings will have roads closed at times on Monday.

Starting at 7 a.m., Branch Pike will close from Woodview to Riverton, Pomona Road will close from Branch Pike to Riverton, North Fork Landing will close from Woodview to Branch Pike and Susan Drive will close from Cambridge to Branch Pike.

Route 130 north will have lane closures from Riverton to Andover starting at 10 a.m.