P.L. 2018, c.070 (A3749 1R)

An Act designating the portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in the Township of Howell as the “State Trooper Marc K. Castellano Memorial Highway.”

Whereas, State Trooper Marc K. Castellano was an extraordinary public servant who served the people of New Jersey as a member of the New Jersey State Police; and

Whereas, Born in the Township of Lakewood, raised in the Township of Jackson, and ultimately residing in the Township of Howell, State Trooper Castellano was a life-long resident of New Jersey; and

Whereas, State Trooper Castellano graduated from Jackson Memorial High School in 1998, where he was a captain of the football team and was awarded a scholarship from the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association; and

Whereas, State Trooper Castellano earned an associate degree from Ocean County College in 2000, a bachelor of science degree from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in 2003, and a master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2010; and

Whereas, An honorable and courageous man who loved serving others and his State, State Trooper Castellano earned a place in the 136th class of the New Jersey State Police Academy; and

Whereas, After graduating from the New Jersey State Police Academy on September 24, 2004, State Trooper Castellano was assigned to Troop “C,” where he served on the Tactical Patrol Unit until his death; and

Whereas, On June 6, 2010, State Trooper Castellano tragically lost his life when he was struck by a motorist while investigating allegations of an armed assailant that was connected to an ongoing investigation following a high speed chase and the abandonment of a vehicle on Interstate Highway Route 195 near the ramp to exit 31 in the Township of Howell; and

Whereas, State Trooper Castellano was a dedicated member of the New Jersey State Police as well as a loving husband, father, son, and brother whose memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and fellow State Troopers; and

Whereas, State Trooper Castellano’s life and service, which has been characterized by fearless performance of his duty and honorable devotion to the principles of the New Jersey State Police, have inspired the establishment of the “The Marc Castellano Fund,” which honors the memory of State Trooper Castellano and other fallen New Jersey State Troopers by raising money to ¹[fund]¹ award college scholarships and provide assistance to the families of fallen New Jersey State Troopers; and

Whereas, As a true example of leadership and service to the State, it is fitting and proper for the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to honor the memory of State Trooper Marc K. Castellano by designating the portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in the Township of Howell as the “State Trooper Marc K. Castellano Memorial Highway”; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the portion of Interstate Highway Route 195, extending from milepost 25.63 to milepost 32.21, in the Township of Howell as the “State Trooper Marc K. Castellano Memorial Highway” and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.

2. State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

Designates portion of Interstate Highway Route 195 in Township of Howell as “State Trooper Marc K. Castellano Memorial Highway.”