Cullen was a Cinnaminson resident when he was killed in the line of duty last year.
As the sun beat down in Westampton last Wednesday, more than 100 police officers and dozens of members of the public looked on solemnly as another name was revealed on the large granite monument bearing the names of all officers from Burlington County law enforcement agencies who have died in the line of duty.
State trooper Sean Cullen, a Cinnaminson resident, passed away on March 8, 2016, after being struck by a passing vehicle while investigating a crash scene in Deptford Township. Cullen left behind a loving family including his fiancee, Aryn, and their 9-month-old son, Seamus. The couple’s second child, Conor, was born after Cullen passed.
“These are not just names, they represent people,” said Richard Meder, Medford Township Police Department chief and president of the Burlington County Police Chiefs’ Association. “All of them heroes, all of them gone too soon.”
Cullen’s is the 15th name to be added to the monument. The fallen officers memorial service, held by the Burlington County Police Chiefs’ Association, occurred during National Police Week.
Officers from the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department, Hainesport Township, the Burlington City Police Department, the Moorestown Township Police Department, the Florence Township Police Department, the Riverton Borough Police Department, the Mount Holly Township Police Department, the State Police and the Burlington County Chiefs of Police were present to lay wreaths around the monument in honor of officers from their departments who have passed.
As Meder noted, Burlington County has been fortunate as to not have added a name to the monument for some time, the last being Patrolman John O. Holmes of the Mount Holly Township Police Department, who passed away in 1992.
“We have accepted that each day we go to work, we may lay down our lives in the line of duty,” Meder said. “Our families still kiss us goodbye, only to worry and pray that we will come back home to them at the end of their shift.”
Capt. Patrick Gallagher of the State Police spoke lightheartedly of his memories with Cullen.
Cullen, who was born in Ireland, was a standout wrestler at both Cinnaminson High School and Lycoming College. Gallagher spoke of Cullen’s love for MMA, Chipotle and Patrick Swayze and of his stellar work ethic, saying if he had a station filled with people like Cullen, he would have never had to come to work.
“Sean is probably one of the most honest people … especially when he has red wine,” Gallagher joked.
Cullen, who was 31, worked for several police departments including the Sea Isle City Police Department, the Mount Holly Township Police Department, the Westampton Township Police Department and the Burlington County Bridge Commission Police Department. He served with the State Police for 18 months and was assigned to the Bellmawr station.
“Over time, we come to realize the price of freedom,” Westampton Township Mayor C. Andre Daniels said. “In a nation of laws, all that truly stands between a commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, or anarchy, is a thin blue line and the noble men and women who have sworn the sacred oath that begins with, ‘I do solemnly swear,’ and invariably ends in, ‘So help me God.’”
Meder and Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced last week blue ribbons are available to members of the public as part of a nationwide effort to honor law enforcement officers and pay respect to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Last year, 145 officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States, according to Meder. So far this year, 48 officers have faced the same fate.
The ribbons have been made available to Burlington County municipal police departments for distribution to the public. Members of the public who wish to show their support should contact their local police department to receive a ribbon. The ribbons are also available at the BCPO and the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department in Mount Holly.
“While we sadly know that it will not be the case, let us hope and pray that trooper Sean Cullen’s name is the final name ever added to this, or any, memorial,” Meder said.
