County to Remember 6 Fallen Police Officers in May 10 Ceremony

CREST HAVEN – Harry Shore. Philip DeSantis. Michael Cullinane. David Douglass. Eugene Miglio. Bertram Zimmerman.
These are the names of every Cape May County officer who died in the line of duty, and who will be honored at a May 10 ceremony, marking Law Enforcement Memorial Day in the county.
The annual ceremony began as an observance at the county police academy to honor fallen officers who served in the county, according to Robert Regalbuto, president of the county Police Chiefs Association and chief of the Wildwood Police Department. 
Law Enforcement Memorial Day is the county’s kickoff to National Police Week. The seven-day observance of fallen American officers was first proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962.
“It’s a solemn day, but it’s a day of celebration as well,” said Regalbuto, who will serve as master of ceremonies. “We’re going to celebrate these officers and celebrate their memories. A lot of us, still, we knew many of these guys.”
Harry E. Shore
Shore’s death predates Kennedy’s proclamation. The Ocean City police officer died July 29, 1927, after being thrown from his motorcycle at 29th Street and West Avenue as he responded to a call. Shore is memorialized on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington.
Philip DeSantis
Woodbine Police Chief DeSantis was attempting to arrest a murder suspect on Aug. 6, 1973, when the suspect stabbed him to death. The suspect had previously killed a gas station attendant after robbing a Court House gas station. The 54-year-old chief was a year shy of serving his 20th year as a police officer. He was chief for 15 years.
Michael Cullinane Sr.
On Aug. 26, 1992, Sea Isle City Police Officer Cullinane rescued an unconscious worker from a construction pit at 26th Street and Landis Avenue before he was overcome by lethal gasses. The day before, Cullinane saved another worker’s life at the same construction site. Cullinane served on the police department for 11 years, and before that, he was a staff sergeant on the Security Police unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard 177th Fighter Interceptor Unit.
David C. Douglass Sr.
Two years later, 34-year-old Lower Township patrolman Douglass was responding to a report of a burglar near Sunnyside and Fieldview avenues. Douglass was chasing the suspect, who had just set a house on fire, when the man turned and shot him. Douglass returned fire and struck the suspect’s hand. He returned to the patrol car to call for assistance but succumbed to his wounds that day on Feb. 18, 1994. Aside from serving the police department for 18 years, Douglass was a lieutenant with the Town Bank Fire Department, helped found the Lower Township SWAT team, was an instructor at the Cape May County Police Academy and was previously a president of the Policeman’s Benevolent Association.
Eugene Miglio
The following year, Wildwood Crest police officer Miglio pulled over a speeding motorist at 4 a.m. on June 2. During the stop, the driver’s sister allegedly kicked him in the chest. Miglio suffered a massive heart attack that night. Miglio was in the department for 14 years.
Bertram Zimmerman
State trooper Zimmerman was involved in a stakeout following multiple armed robberies at local convenience stores. Troopers were staking out a store on Route 9 when they spotted the suspect fleeing the robbery scene and began a vehicle chase. Zimmerman was attempting to join the pursuit when he lost control of his patrol car and struck a utility pole at the corner of routes 9 and 83 on Feb. 5, 2004. Zimmerman was a trooper for three years.
Preventing Future Tragedies
“We want to honor these gentlemen for their sacrifices that they’ve made so that all of us can be safe,” Regalbuto said. “We hope that we’re able to work together in partnership with our communities to prevent incidents like this from happening again.”
Regalbuto cited use of force techniques, de-escalation techniques, and simulators as lessons taught to new students in the police academy to help prevent future tragedies.
May 10 Ceremony
The rain-or-shine ceremony will start at 11 a.m. at the Public Safety Training Center, located at 171 Crest Haven Road. If it rains, the event may be moved indoors, Regalbuto said.
The public is welcome to attend, he said. Drivers can park on the side of the street by the training center, he added.
The Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard will play “Taps” and render honors, Regalbuto said. Then, various organizations, including the county PBA, county FOP, Police Chiefs Association and county prosecutor’s PBA, will place wreaths.
Sheriff Robert Nolan and Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland will speak.
U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd), Sen. Jeff Van Drew, and Assemblymen Robert “Bob” Andrzejczak and Bruce Land (all D-1st) are invited to speak, Regalbuto said, adding that Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) attended last year.
The Police Unity Tour, an organization of officers who ride bicycles hundreds of miles to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial every May, is expected to make a stop at the ceremony, Regalbuto said. He said they have done so nearly every year, but last year they attended the ceremony for the 25th anniversary of Cullinane’s death, which took place at the same time as the county ceremony.
Those riders are also expected to conduct a brief ceremony at Miglio’s memorial by Sunset Lake, Wildwood Crest.
“Our veterans always take care of us, it’s the same thing with our law enforcement,” Regalbuto said. “These gentlemen made the ultimate sacrifice.”
To contact Taylor Henry, email thenry@cmcherald.com.