N.J. Police Chief Writes Heartfelt Letter Thanking Department Following Officer's Death

“I am honored to lead such a selfless and resilient group of professionals,“ wrote Phillipsburg Police Chief Anthony Goodell in an open letter to the department after an officer's two-year battle with cancer.

Oct. 21, 2025

2 min read

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Phillipsburg Police Chief Anthony Goodell thanked his officers for their resilience through leadership changes, job challenges and the recent loss of Officer Brett Marino.
Marino, a 13-year veteran and son of a former chief, died Oct. 9 after a two-year cancer battle, and hundreds attended his funeral Saturday.
Goodell also expressed gratitude to local officials, agencies and community members for their support during the department’s time of grief.

Family, friends and members of the community gather at Phillipsburg, NJ, High School's auditorium Saturday for a memorial service in honor of Officer Brett Marino.

Over the past year the men and women of the Phillipsburg Police Department have faced various forms of adversity, Police Chief Anthony Goodell said.

From changes among leadership and new on-the-job dangers to some of its team, to the recent death of one of their own.

The chief thanked the members of the department in a public letter Tuesday morning posted to the department’s Facebook page.

“You’ve stood watch over one another, carried each other through grief and continued to serve this town with courage and integrity…I am honored to lead such a selfless and resilient group of professionals, and I am proud of each and every one of you,“ Goodell wrote.

Goodell also thanked the town’s public officials, the school district, and numerous law enforcement agencies for their support for Brett M. Marino‘s funeral service held over the weekend.

Hundreds gathered on Oct. 18 inside Phillipsburg High School to commemorate the life and contributions of Marino, a 13-year veteran of the department who died while on watch Oct. 9 after facing a two-year health battle against cancer.

Brett was a lifelong resident of the Phillipsburg area, contributed to numerous organizations, and was the son of retired Phillipsburg Police Chief Larry Marino.

“He lived for a round of golf, cooked more food than an average Italian could eat, and cheered for Notre Dame football-unless his bet said otherwise,” his wife Karyssa wrote in his obituary.

Marino is survived by his four children, as well as his mother, grandmother, siblings and extended family.

In his public statement, Chief Goodell also thanked organizations and members of the Phillipsburg area who were a source of support for the police department in its hour of grief.

“You embraced us in our time of grief and reminded us that we are with you, and you are most certainly with us,” he wrote.

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