Heartbroken family members and friends flocked to the funeral of slain Jersey City Police Det. Melvin Santiago, as hundreds of cops gathered outside to pay respect, on Friday.
Mourners hugged and wept in front of St. Aloysius Catholic Church while bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” to honor the fallen hero, who was shot dead in the line of duty on Sunday.
Santiago’s distraught parents, Cathy and Alec Mcbride, arrived arm in arm. His father clutched his son’s prized sports jersey.
Officer Melvin SantiagoPhoto: AP
One tearful relative collapsed before the service and had to be removed in a stretcher.
Eight pallbearers carried his coffin, draped in an American flag, past a sea of cops in blue uniforms, into the church.
“Hey, Mel, if you’re watching, kid… We’re so proud if you…I love you, our family will never be the same without you,” Santiago’s uncle, Frank DeFazio, said during the eulogy.
Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop also praised the rookie cop for his heart of gold.
“Melvin was always intent on good prevailing over evil, protecting the vulnerable and maintaining order in the community,” Fulop said at the service.
“[He] understood that being a police officer was dangerous but he also understood that it was the highest calling of service possible,” he said.
Fulop added, “[He is] a hero to quite a few people in this room today.”
Santiago, 23, was killed while responding to a burglary call at a Walgreens on Sunday, police sources said.
Lawrence Campbell, 27, allegedly opened fire on Santiago’s car, shooting him in the head, police sources said.
Gov. Chris Christie and former Gov. Jim McGreevey were among the mourners.
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