Slain N.J. police officer will be promoted, honored
A rookie Jersey City police officer killed in the line of duty will be promoted to the rank of detective and given the department’s highest honor.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop says Officer Melvin Santiago will receive the department’s Medal of Honor. The promotion and ceremony will happen at his wake Thursday. His funeral is scheduled for Friday.
Gov. Chris Christie has ordered flags at state office buildings to be flown at half-staff Wednesday for Santiago.
The 23-year-old was killed in a shootout early Sunday while responding to a report of an armed robbery at a 24-hour drug store.
Santiago had been on the force for less than a year but had wanted to be a police officer since he was in his teens.
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