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It was a time to honor, mourn and celebrate the life of a state trooper,
father and husband, who lost his life just over a year ago while trying to
keep the public safe.
"There is no better way to celebrate Christopher Scales's life than through safety education," said Lawrence Petrillo, state fire marshal/director of the Division of Fire Safety, during a dedication ceremony Saturday at Safe Kids Day. "He is looking down on us and is saying this is the way he wants to be remembered." Scales, of Hamilton Township, died after he slipped and was struck by a tractor-trailer while performing seat-belt safety checks at New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 12 in Carteret on Dec. 3, 2002. He left behind a wife and three young children. Susan Bodnar, a Carteret EMT, was one of the first people to respond to the scene that day -- a day she has said she'll never forget. Bodnar organized Safe Kids Day in a tribute to Scales. The event puts an emphasis on child safety. Wiping tears away from her eyes with a white tissue, Lisa Scales listened as local, county and state officials talked about her husband. "Trooper Christopher Scales unselfishly gave of himself to protect us," said Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Nicholas Sewitch. "He gave his life to save our life." When most people think of the danger law enforcement personnel face, they usually think of a gunman and being shot or stabbed, Sewitch said. But, Sewitch explained, there are everyday perils, such as speeding cars and trucks, that law officers face while making the roadways safe for residents to travel. "We will never get over the loss of Christopher Scales," Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, told a crowd of more than 100 gathered outside the Carteret Fire Department. Addressing the children in the group, Fuentes used Scales as an example of the type of noble person they should aspire to be. "One day I hope we welcome you into our ranks," Fuentes said. Major Heidi Scripture of the New Jersey State Police was the trooper in command of the New Jersey Turnpike the day Scales was killed. "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for keeping Trooper Scales and his family in your thoughts and prayers," Scripture said. Scripture reviewed the dangers of not using a seat belt, emphasizing the importance of proper use of both seat belts and child car seats when driving. "Trooper Scales was committed to seat-belt safety and knew how important it was," Scripture said. Prior to the dedication ceremony, Scales' wife briefly spoke about her husband, his dedication to his job and the event. "I'm honored to be here, and I'm glad they are helping to keep his memory alive," Lisa Scales said. "He died doing something he loved to do. He went to work every day, whether he was sick or it was bad weather." |
