County Law Enforcement Agencies Have Lost Six Officers

COURT HOUSE — In addition to Woodbine Police Chief Phillip DeSantis whose killer lost a recent court appeal, the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) lists five other police officers from Cape May County who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring America’s fallen law enforcement heroes.
According to the ODMP, more than 19,000 officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the United States and 417 in New Jersey.
When an officer dies in the line of duty, the ODMP says their watch has ended.
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According to the ODMP, Sea Isle City Police Officer Michael P. (Mickey) Cullinane Sr. ended his watch on Aug. 26, 1992.
Cullinane, 30, was a 11-year veteran of the force.
He died when he attempted to rescue an unconscious worker from a construction pit at 26th Street and Landis Avenue and was overcome by lethal gasses.
The ODMP noted that ironically, just the day before, Cullinane was an integral part of the rescue efforts that saved another construction worker’s life at the very same job site.
Officer Cullinane was a reserve member of the New Jersey Air National Guard 177th Fighter Interceptor Unit where he served as a Staff Sergeant (E6) on the Security Police unit. He was survived by his wife, son, mother, five sisters, and three brothers.
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Chief Philip John DeSantis, of the Woodbine Police Department, ended his watch on Aug. 6, 1973.
DeSantis, 50, was stabbed to death by a suspect who had just robbed a gas station and stabbed the attendant.
The ODMP said DeSantis was at home when he heard the call. The suspect was known to him so he began to search for him.
He located the man and pulled him over. During the stop the man stabbed him with a screwdriver or metal file before fleeing. The man was later apprehended and sentenced to life.
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Patrolman David C. Douglass Sr., of the Lower Township Police Department, ended his watch on Feb. 18, 1994.
Douglas, 34, was shot and killed while responding to a report of a suspicious man.
As Officer Douglass approached the man, the man began to run. He then suddenly turned and shot the officer, according to the ODMP.
Officer Douglass had been employed with the Lower Township Police Department for 18 years, and was survived by his wife, son, daughter, and step-daughter.
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Patrolman Eugene J. Miglio III, of the Wildwood Crest Police Department, ended his watch on June 2, 1995.
Miglio, 42, suffered a fatal heart attack after being kicked in the head by the sister of a speeding motorist he had pulled over at 4 a.m.
Miglio had served with Wildwood Crest police for 14 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter and son.
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Police Officer Harry Everett Shore Sr., of the Ocean City Police Department, ended his watch on July 29, 1927.
Shore was killed when he was thrown from his motorcycle at 29th Street and West Avenues as he responded to a fire call.
Officer Shore was survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.
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Trooper Bertram Zimmerman III, of the New Jersey State Police, ended his watch on Feb. 5, 2004.
Zimmerman, 32, was killed in an automobile accident in Dennis Township while responding to backup officers at a robbery call.
Zimmerman and the officers were part of a stakeout following a recent series of armed robberies at area convenience stores. Troopers staking out a store on Route 9 spotted the suspect fleeing the scene of a robbery and initiated a vehicle pursuit. Trooper Zimmerman was attempting to join the pursuit when his patrol car went out of control and struck a utility pole at the corner of Route 9 and Route 83.
The suspect was later apprehended and charged with robbery and felony murder in connection with Trooper Zimmerman’s death. On May 31, 2006, he plead guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He also plead guilty to three armed robberies and was sentenced to an additional 20 years in prison.
Trooper Zimmerman had served with the New Jersey State Police for 3 years. He was survived by his wife of five months, mother, and two sisters.
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For more information on fallen law enforcement officers, visit www.odmp.org