CLIFFSIDE PARK — One of the special police officers struck by a vehicle Saturday night died Monday morning, authorities said.

Stephen Petruzzello was 22.

He died at 5 a.m., Acting Mayor and Council President Thomas Calabrese said.

“My heart and prayers go out to Officer Petruzzello’s family, friends and all the members of the Cliffside Park Police Department,” he said.

Petruzzello and fellow special officer Thaier Abdallah were struck by a Honda CR-V while on foot patrol on Walker Street Saturday night, said William Maer, a spokesman for Cliffside Park. Abdallah was released from Hackensack University Hospital on Sunday.

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Petruzzello died after undergoing surgery. Maer said police cited Anie Kalayjian, the driver of the Honda, with several motor vehicle violations. He did not specify which violations.

Kalayjian, 62, of Cliffside Park, said she didn't see Petruzzello and Abdallah, who only became special officers in November. Special officers are unarmed and have limited law enforcement powers.

Kalayjian, a professor at Columbia University, told WABC that the officers were wearing black with no reflectors.



Cliffside Park Police Chief Richard Gaito said Petruzzello would be missed.

“This is clearly the saddest day I have had during my tenure as chief of the department,” he said. “Officer Petruzzello was a bright, hardworking man, with a lifetime of potential before him.”

“Today Cliffside Park lost a future leader and a dedicated police officer,” police commissioner and councilman Kenneth Corcoran said.

Petruzzello's father Ronnie issued a statement thanking Mayor Gerry Calabrese, the Cliffside Park council, the Cliffside Park Police Department, the Cliffside Park EMS, Ridgefield Park EMS, the Police Academy in Mahwah and family and friends for their support.

Petruzzello was set to graduate Bergen Community College in 2015 with a degree in criminal justice and had recently graduated from the police academy, Ronnie said.

"We are very proud of him and he was proud to be a police officer," Ronnie said. "The outpouring of support he received was truly astounding."

"We all loved Stephen and will continue till the end of our days," he added.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.