Ed Rumley

Paterson Press

PATERSON – The name of Tamby Yagan, the Paterson police officer who died a year ago in an on-duty motor vehicle crash, is being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C,. next month.

About 17 Paterson police officers — including some pedaling bicycles and others on motorcycles — plan to participate in a “Unity Tour” trip to Washington for the May 9 event.

More than 500 people gathered at The Brownstone banquet hall on Monday night — the one-year anniversary of Yagan’s death — to raise money to help the deceased officer’s son, Dunay, and to cover some of the expenses for the contingent in the Unity Tour.

MOURNING:More than 500 officers from across North Jersey mourn Paterson officer Tamby Yagan

YAGAN REMEMBERED:Fallen Paterson police officer was known for his compassion

Family members, friends and fellow cops shared their memories and thoughts of Yagan.

His brother-in-law, Bassan Merza, recalled a letter Yagan received from a woman whom he had issued a speeding ticket. “The letter thanked him for being so polite and such a nice police officer,” Merza said.

Paterson Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale recalled being at the scene of Yagan’s fatal crash.

“It will be forever etched in my mind,” Speziale told the audience. “Tamby truly cared about family and community. He was an amazing, humble human being. We are here tonight to support his legacy.”

Blana Merza, Yagan’s older sister, shared personal thoughts about her brother with a Paterson Press reporter prior to the ceremony.

“We grew up in Prospect Park,” Merza said. “Tamby moved to Syria when he was in the fifth grade. He came back to America when he was 19-years old. He got his GED and became a salesman for Nexus Plastics, in Hawthorne. However, he had always wanted to become a police officer.”

While employed in sales, Merza said that her brother signed up as a volunteer firefighter in Prospect Park. She said Yagan’s desire to go into law enforcement stemmed from an incident in Syria, when his father was hit by a drunk driver.

“Tamby was nearby and immediately put his father into his car and drove to the nearest hospital,” the sister said. “However, his father’s injuries were so severe that the first two hospitals they approached would not admit him.”

A third hospital admitted the father, 63-year old Abrahim Yagan, but he ended up dying, according to the sister.

“That really made an impact on Tamby’s life,” Merza said. “It was then that he decided to really pursue a life to help others.”

Police Benevolent Association President Alex Cruz brought to Monday’s event the bicycle he will ride when making the approximately 250 mile Unity Tour journey to the nation’s capital. The bike is adorned with the names of Paterson officers who died in the line of duty. Yagan’s name is on the frame bar connecting the seat and handbars.

“When I come back from the trip, I will give this bicycle to Dunay, Tamby’s son,” Cruz said. “We, as a police association, want him to know how much people cared for him and cared for his dad.”

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