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The concept of the "Trooper Bridge Dinner", originally known as the "Meeting at the Bridge", was inspired by New Jersey and Pennsylvania Troopers, who came together after the October 24, 1997, tragic line of duty shooting death of NJSP Trooper Scott Gonzalez #5059. On that date, Trooper Gonzalez while assigned to the Troop "B" Hope Station, pursued an unknown armed suspect into a remote area of Independence Township (Warren County), NJ. During the encounter, the suspect rammed his vehicle into the front portion of Trooper Gonzalez’s troop car causing extensive damage and trapping Trooper Gonzalez inside his police cruiser. Shortly after this occurred, a firefight with the suspect ensued and Trooper Gonzalez was mortally wounded.
In response to this heartbreaking event, NJSP Hope Station Troopers and neighboring PSP Troopers from Swiftwater Station, meet together at the Delaware Bridge (Pocono, PA), to develop a united front to support Trooper Gonzalez's wife (Maureen). This meeting of Trooper Gonzalez's colleagues and friends provided the cornerstone for an event, simply referred to as "The Bridge Dinner", to which we honor a fallen hero.
Based upon the efforts of the founding "Bridge Dinner" members, NJSP Trooper Gary Talijan, PSP Trooper Victor Ortalano, PSP Trooper Blair Talijan, and Maureen Gonzalez, the event has continued for more than twenty years.
