Watchung Whistle To Honor Police Officer's Line Of Duty Death

WATCHUNG, NJ — The fire whistle in Watchung will be blown at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 8 in honor of the 11th anniversary of Watchung Police Officer Matt Melchionda's line of duty death.

Melchionda, 31, was a six year veteran on the force when he died on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 from injuries sustained from a car crash while on duty.

Melchionda was assisting other officers in stopping a suspicious vehicle when he and a minivan collided on Norwood Avenue in North Plainfield. After hitting the minivan, driven by North Plainfield local Marina Guevara, Melchionda's patrol car then struck a tree.

Obituary from Higgins Funeral Home in Watchung:

Born in Orange, Melchionda resided in Livingston before moving to Readington in 1986. Officer Melchionda attended Readington Middle School and Hunterdon Central Regional High School where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Rutgers University, Livingston campus, and his Masters Degree in Public Administration from Centenary College in Hackettstown.

He was a 1999 graduate of the Somerset County Police Academy. Officer Melchionda served on the Watchung Police force for 6 years and was a member of the Watchung PBA, Local 193.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn M. Galanaugh Melchionda whom he married in September 2005; his parents, James Melchionda of Toms River and Jane Shenyo Melchionda of Williams Township, PA; his grandmother, Mary A. Melchionda of Toms River; his brother, Officer David J. Melchionda, a Watchung police officer, of Branchburg; his uncles, Gary Melchionda of Toms River and Ralph Shenyo of Coppersburg, PA and his aunt, Patricia Stierle of Bricktown.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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