A New Jersey State Police trooper fatally struck by a vehicle a week ago was laid to rest on Monday.
Trooper Sean Cullen was responding to a car fire on I-295 on March 7 when he was struck by a passing motorist and succumbed to his injuries the next morning, according to The Star-Ledger.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers lined the roads amid light rain as the hearse carrying the fallen trooper's body arrived at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church in Cinnaminson.
"May the road rise up to meet you," State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes said, quoting the traditional Irish blessing before the funeral.
The 31-year-old trooper was remembered as a dedicated cop and young father who cared deeply about his fellow troopers and his family.
Cullen was born in Dublin, Ireland, but grew up in Cinnaminson. He was a graduate of Cinnaminson High School where he scored more than 100 wins on the wrestling team before going on to be an All American wrestler at Lycoming College.
Before joining the New Jersey State Police, he served as a police officer in Sea Isle City, Mount Holly and Westampton Township.
Colleagues said becoming a New Jersey trooper was always Cullen's "ultimate dream."
"Sean had a love for life that shone through in all that he did and he sincerely believed that life was to be filled with laughter," the trooper's family wrote in a memorial statement. "He constantly strove to make others smile and laugh, and accomplished this with his strong wit and hilarious antics. Whether you spent five minutes or a lifetime with Sean, you knew that you were in the presence of a captivating and memorable man."
Cullen leaves behind a fiancee, Aryn McCormick, and nine-month-old son, Seamus. His brother, Garrett, is also a state trooper.
