Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace my fellow Troopers! After 60 years, this horrific incident remains the most tragic day in the history of the N.J. State Police. Honor, Duty & Fidelity!

CPT. Thomas VanTassel Sr. #2931
89th Class, NJSP 1973-2004

October 2, 2022

On this 58th year of yours and your partners untimely departure, I would like to say thank you for your sacrifice and let you know that time will never erase your memory and heroism.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo (Retired)
Delaware State Police

June 11, 2020

https://www.njsp.org/memoriam/1960s/simcak.shtml
Milan Simcak was born in Pasaic, New Jersey on January 28, 1926. He later resided in Paramus, New Jersey.

Trooper Simcak enlisted with the New Jersey State Police on December 18, 1950 and was a member of the 38th State Police Class. He was assigned to Troop "B" "Turnpike Patrol" and later to Troop "D" Newark.

Trooper Simcak died as a result of an automobile accident while in the line of duty.

On June 11, 1962, Trooper DeFrino was on patrol, riding north on the New Jersey Turnpike in Kearny, Hudson County, New Jersey. Troopers Milan Simcak and Arthur J. Abagnale, Jr. were passengers in the Troop car, being transported to Interchange #18 of the Turnpike where their private vehicles were parked. The weather conditions at the time were clear, bright sun and hot.

Trooper DeFrino was at milepost 108 north and was following a 1959 Mack Dump Truck off the Passaic River Bridge that had received a flat left front tire when his troop car was struck in the rear: A 1945 A.C.F. bus was traveling northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike in the center lane and struck a 1960 Buick sedan in the left rear corner and the bus mounted the rear of the vehicle.

The Buick sedan then crossed into the right hand lane and struck the retaining wall. The bus continued going straight ahead in the center lane and bypassed the Buick with the front of the bus. At this point, the Buick was returning back out into the right hand lane of the Turnpike on an angle facing west. The bus struck the front hood of the sedan with the right rear side of the bus causing the sedan to face north. The sedan then struck the retaining wall a second time.

The third impact occurred when the bus, still continuing north, went into the right hand lane and struck the rear of the Troop car, pushing it forward into the rear of the dump truck it had been following. When the Troop car made contact with the rear of the truck, the bus mounted the entire body of the Troop car, leveling it in the process.

The Buick sedan, after striking the retaining wall a second time, spun completely around facing south. It jumped the cat-walk with the left side of the vehicle, mounting the cat-walk and rolled backwards.

The vehicles finally came to a halt with the dump truck extending out into the left lane; the bus suspended on top of the Troop car on the center lane with the rear of the bus extending back diagonally and completely covering the right hand lane. The front end of the Troop car was embedded under the rear of the truck and the Buick sedan was mounted on top of the cat-walk, stopped behind the bus with the right rear corner of the sedan touching the right rear corner of the bus.

The distance between the elevated front portion of the bus and the rear of the truck was fifteen (15) inches. The front wheels of the bus were eighteen (18) inches above the roadway. The Buick sedan had finally stopped, facing south, 363 feet 5 inches from the initial impact.

Six civilians were injured. The three troopers, DeFrino, Simcak and Abagnale, were taken to West Hudson Hospital and were pronounced dead on arrival.

Trooper Simcak served 11 years and 6 months with the New Jersey State Police.

Trooper Simcak was survived by his wife, a 7 year-old son and a 6 year-old daughter. He was 36 years old.

US Army CID Special Agent Marcos Claudio
Former PR Police Department (Class 206th)

June 10, 2020

Trooper Simcak,
On today, the 55th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and the other two Troopers in that car with you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of New Jersey. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 11, 2017

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 15, 2015

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 50th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

June 11, 2012

On this 49th anniversary of your E.O.W, know that we have not forgotten your sacrifice. May the Grace of God be with your family forever.

Lt. Christopher Carroll
New Brunswick Police

June 11, 2011

Your will NEVER be forgotten! Our thoughts & prayers are with your family.

NJSPSOTT

June 12, 2010

Rest in peace my Brother.

Kevin T Ryan
NJ

June 11, 2008

God Speed, Brother.

P.O.K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

October 1, 2007

May you rest in peace always and know that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

June 11, 2007

Nearly 45 years later, you and your fellow Brothers are still remembered...

Rest in peace, Brother

Corporal Gregory A. Cohn
Florida Highway Patrol - St. Augustine

April 24, 2007

The world is a better place because of you.

Patrolman
Mayflower PD, AR

January 9, 2006

I didn't know you, but - years after your death - your son David was by best friend (in high school).I saw your memorial at NJSP HQ in Ewing Twp a few yrs ago and was very moved.
God bless your soul and those of the fellow troopers who died with you.
-Greg Menton - Fairfax,VA

none
none

August 26, 2005

You will never be forgotten. Honor, Duty, Fidelity.

Trooper
New Jersey State Police

June 18, 2005

Rest in Peace, Brother. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

A Squad
Woodbridge PD CT

February 6, 2005

You'll always be a Hero....

Cleveland Police, Ohio Retired