VILLAS – The Lower Township Police Department dedicated its new HERO Patrol Car at an unveiling ceremony at the Villas Fire Hall prior to the annual Veterans Day Parade. The Ford Explorer is wrapped with the blue and gold colors of the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign, and a township sunset scene.
The car also bears the HERO Campaign’s message, “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver” as a rolling reminder for motorists not to drink and drive. The cruiser is the second HERO Car for Lower Township, and the 28th in the HERO fleet.
“We’re proud to be part of such an important campaign that encourages sober driving and alternate safe transportation options,” said township Police Chief Kevin Lewis, who participated in the unveiling ceremony with Mayor Frank Sippel, HERO Campaign Chairman and founder Bill Elliott and Capt. Warren Judge, commander of the Coast Guard Training Center.
The HERO Campaign is a nonprofit organization honoring the memory of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed in a July 2000 collision with a drunken driver as he was traveling home from Annapolis, Maryland, for his mother’s birthday celebration. He had just graduated in May from the United States Naval academy, where he was named the Outstanding HERO officer of his graduating class.
On Nov. 7, the state Department of Transportation dedicated the new highway interchange connecting Route I-295 and Route 42 near Philadelphia in John Elliott’s memory.
In addition to the HERO Campaign, New Jersey enacted “John’s Law” in 2001, which requires police to impound the cars of those arrested for DUI for 12 hours, preventing them from driving while still intoxicated. According to the State Police, 24,000 cars are impounded annually under John’s Law.
The HERO Campaign has grown into a regional movement partnering with schools and colleges, law enforcement, bar and tavern owners, and NFL and Major League Baseball teams. More than 150,000 motorists have signed the campaign’s online HERO pledge to be designated drivers for their friends and families.
For more information, go to www.herocampaign.org.
