In Memoriam: Detective Marc A. DiNardo 
Detective Marc A. DiNardo, 37, was laid to rest on Friday, July 24, 2009, at Holy Cross Cemetery, in North Arlington, following a Mass at St. Aedan’s Church, in Jersey City. A decorated 10 year veteran of the Jersey City police force, Detective DiNardo was shot in the line of duty  during a shoot out with a fugitive gunman wanted in several states and died from his injuries a few days later at the Jersey City Medical Center. In all, five officers were injured during the shoot out, DiNardo the most seriously.

DiNardo was the recipient of seven Excellent Police Service awards, two Commendations and a World Trade Center award. He was assigned to the highly acclaimed Emergency Services Unit two years ago. On June 29, 2009, DiNardo and members of his unit were responsible for the rescue of a distraught Belleville woman who attempted suicide by jumping from the Wittpenn Bridge into the Hackensack River.

“There is never a more heartbreaking duty as Mayor than attending the funeral of one who has fallen in the line of duty,” said Mayor Healy. “Even more so as in the case of Marc, who gave his all, and who leaves so much behind—a loving wife and parents, his brothers, three small children, and a grateful city.”

“My godson, Detective Marc Anthony DiNardo, as a baby was charismatic and magnetic. As a teen he was indefatigable and electric. As a man he was daring and gregarious.” said Deputy Director Arthur W. Pease. “He brought all these traits with him to the Jersey City Police Department. He had that natural and sociable way about him, which he transferred to his peers and the community. You didn’t have to ask to get his help, he would be there. He had a sense to be where he was needed and he would give his all for the department and community. Of which he did.”

“Aristotle once said that ‘moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.’ We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, and brave by doing brave acts. This exemplifies the life and service of Marc DiNardo,” said Chief Tom Comey. “There aren’t many amongst us who leave each person we encounter with nothing but positive thoughts and praise. But, that was Marc. He was one of them.”

Detective DiNardo is the 38th Jersey City Police Officer to die in the line of duty in the 180 year history of the department. A Jersey City native, DiNardo graduated from School 17, Hudson Catholic High School, and St. Peter’s College. He leaves behind his loving wife, Mary and three children, four year-old Gwendolyn, three year-old Marc Anthony II, and one year-old Ella.  In addition, he is survived by his father, retired JCPD Lieutenant Paul DiNardo, Mary, his mother, as well as his brothers, members of his extended family, and many friends.

“It is a calling, and it takes a special person to run towards the danger when your most basic human instinct is to avoid it. Marc exemplified that special character when he faced the danger to protect others,” said Mayor Healy. “This is such a great loss to us, our community and our city. We call on police officers to do things and settle problems we wouldn’t ask of the people closest to us in our lives. And that’s a special trust we have in police. And that’s why this loss is indeed a great one.”

In lieu of flowers, the DiNardo family requested that donations be made to a scholarship fund established by the Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association: JCPOBA, Marc Anthony DiNardo Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 17395, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07307.

In the wake of his death, hundreds turned out for the POBA and New Jersey Blood Services blood drives which were held in both DiNardo’s honor and for the other officers injured in the shoot out. Those wishing to donate blood should contact the New Jersey Blood Services. 

Links:
Detective DiNardo's Facebook Cause
Mary DiNardo Speaks About Life Without Marc
JCPOBA Scholarship Fund 
Funeral For Detective Marc A. DiNardo 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                


Proceeds from JCPD & N.J. Devils Alumni Charity Hockey Game to Benefit Det. Marc DiNardo Memorial Fund
Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, members of the Municipal Council, New Jersey Devils Alumni Ken Daneyko and members of the Jersey City Police Department held a 10:30 a.m. press conference announcing the Marc DiNardo Memorial Hockey Game on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at Police Headquarters, 8 Erie Street.

“I am happy to see the outpouring of support for the family of Marc DiNardo and the efforts to keep his memory alive,” said Mayor Healy. “Marc was a hero whose life was lost while protecting others and it is only fitting that he be honored and memorialized through a sport that he loved.”

Centering the puck is slated for 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at the Prudential Center in Newark. The Jersey City Police Hockey Team will go up against a team of New Jersey Devils Alumni. Tickets to the event are $20.00 and will benefit The Marc DiNardo Memorial Fund.

“Prudential Center is honored to celebrate Detective DiNardo and his love for the sport of hockey,” said Jeff Vanderbeek, Chairman and Managing Partner of the New Jersey Devils. “We greatly respect his service to protect Jersey City residents and want to help create a lasting memorial to his heroism.”

This will serve as the inaugural game for the Jersey City Police Department Hockey team, made up largely of Jersey City Police Officers. They will take on members of the Devils Alumni Association, including Bruce Driver, Ken Daneyko, Rob Skrlac, and Grant Marshall. Detective DiNardo was a lifelong hockey fan, who played hockey for the Hudson Catholic Hawk Hockey Team.

“Initially, I started the game simply to memorialize Marc in a manner that befitted him. He was not a golfer, he was not a softball player, he was a hockey player,” said Sergeant Scott McNulty of the Jersey City Police Department, a close friend of DiNardo’s. “I was also trying to create a lasting memory for Marc's children that showed how much their father was loved, respected and admired.”

The New Jersey Devils have also offered a group rate to supporters of The Marc DiNardo Memorial Fund for the December 18th game vs. the Ottawa Senators, with a portion of the ticket sales directly benefitting the Fund.

“This is one of the most meaningful games our Devils alumni have been a part of,” said Devils alumni Ken Daneyko, a 3-time Stanley Cup Champion. “We are honored to be a part of such a significant game and look forward to taking the ice in Detective DiNardo’s memory.

12/16/09 - NJ Devils vs JCPD Hockey Team Match-Up Benefitting Detective Marc DiNardo Memorial Fund a Success!
While the proceeds are still being tallied, Sgt. Scott McNulty, chairman of the Marc DiNardo Memorial Hockey Game, conservatively estimates the amount raised at this weekend's
game to be about $80,000. All proceeds raised will benefit The Marc DiNardo Memorial Fund. The N.J. Devils also offered a group rate to the December 18th game against the Ottawa
Senators, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the DiNardo Memorial Fund. Read more.

10/04/2009 - $10,000 Raised for the DiNardo Children's Scholarship Fund
The community is invited to attend the DiNardo Family Cup Check Presentation from 2:00 p.m - 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2009 which will be held at Michael Anthony's Restaurant, 502 Washington Boulevard. Mary DiNardo and her children will receive a check from the proceeds of the Friday, September 18, 2009 soccer fundraiser which was held at Giants Stadium.