Editorial: Officer Tom White must be remembered and honored as a Hero!

As the details surrounding the tragic loss of Hamilton Police Officer Tom White have come to surface publicly (we don’t feel the need to reiterate the details), we must remember him and honor him for the hero he was.  

This is important for both his children and the children of our township that he served.

White, was a hero in every sense of the word.

In 2011, just two years after joining the force, White and his partner saved a husband and wife from a massive 11 alarm house fire that took the lives of two young adults.

Below from Trenton Times Story in 2011.  http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2011/01/young_couple_dies_in_blaze.html

Responding to the scene moments before firefighters, Patrolmen Thomas White and Nicholas Avanzato with the Hamilton Township Police Department heard two people yelling for help from a first-floor bedroom window.

Neighbors John and Lennie Griffiths said the officers smashed the window and managed to pull the two older Prestons to safety.

“I told the officers there were people inside and they started running towards the house,” John Griffiths said. “Those two officers on the scene, they were outstanding.”

Both elder Prestons were rushed to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton. Thomas Preston, who authorities said suffered severe burns to the face, hands and arms, was airlifted to the burn unit at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

He was listed in critical condition last night. Jacqueline Preston was listed in stable condition.

White and his partner risked their lives to save 2 people they never met.  While they were recognized by their superiors for their heroic deeds, neither felt the need to speak to the media and receive any attention or publicity about it.

Years later as White continued his service he was assigned to the Educational Services Unit as a LEAD officer (Law Enforcement Against Drugs), permanently assigned to Reynolds Middle School in February 2016. His duties included teaching various grades in bicycle safety and the LEAD program, as well as serving as Officer Friendly.

White was also a member of the Hamilton PAL Board of Directors as the director of the Safety Town Program.

He spent his days working to teach our children and mentoring our future generations for the greater good of our beloved town.

Thousands of memories and sentiments have been posted on social media, like the ones below, that emphasize how much White touched them and inspired them. 

Some friends, some parents and some who never even met the man.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=960358527437747&set=p.960358527437747&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213377433538129&set=a.1842533590912.2106837.1467772160&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/ali.walker.129/posts/10155519460797948

The township and police department issued statements early today:

The loss of any member of our Township Government family is always heartbreaking, but when we lose someone who has made such a positive impact in the lives of our community’s children – as was the case with Police Officer Tom White – it is even more heartbreaking.

Through his work in our schools as a ‘Law Enforcement Against Drugs’ officer and his leadership in our popular Police Athletic League ‘Safety Town’ program that generations of Hamiltonians have benefitted from, Officer White has touched many lives and worked to ensure the safety of our young people.  For that, our community will always be grateful.    

On behalf of the nearly 90,000 residents of Hamilton Township, as well as our entire Township Government, I want to extend our collective sympathies and our prayers for Officer White’s family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time.  May they always take solace in the fact that his legacy will endure through the achievements of the countless children he served across our community. – Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede

“Officer Tom White touched the lives of thousands of young people in Hamilton Township through his work with the LEAD program, as Officer Friendly, and as the director of Safety Town,” Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said. “He will be sorely missed, as an officer and a good friend.”

“On behalf of the entire Hamilton Police Division, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer White’s family,” Hamilton Police Chief James W. Collins said in a statement. “He will be greatly missed.”

We as a community in mourning must issue our statement – Officer Tom White Must be remembered as a Hero and we can do that by honoring his service and the countless lives he touched!

 

About The Author



Chief Media Evangelist of Pulse Media, L.L.C. Professional Photographer, Media and Marketing Consultant and Serial Entrepreneur. Husband to a wonderful, understanding and gorgeous wife. Avid Cigar Collector and Smoker. Amateur Chef/ Foodie. Lover of the sun and ocean. Certified Mets Fan. Part Time Comedian