Jersey City Police Station Named In Honor Of Fallen Detective Melvin Santiago

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The first new police station to open in Jersey City in 60 years has been named in honor of fallen Detective Melvin Santiago.

The 23-year-old rookie police officer was ambushed while responding to a robbery at a Walgreen's on July 13, 2014.

"Using the word hero is appropriate and he's nothing short of inspirational," Mayor Steven Fulop said during a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday.

Fulop said Santiago's death was the hardest period of his entire career.

"It continues to be something that I think about often, that inspires me to try and do better," Fulop said.

Santiago's family helped cut the ribbon on the new West District police station. They also placed personal artifacts from the fallen hero and memorabilia from other officers into a time capsule that will be opened in 100 years.

Santiago's mother, Cathy McBride, said his sacrifice will now be remembered forever.

"It is an immense amount of pride for me seeing this building in Melvin's name, the statue with his likeness," McBride said. "It means the world to me because I always knew how amazing Melvin was and I'm just happy that now the world knows."

McBride also wrote a letter to her son that she placed in the time capsule.

"Whoever opens it will read that letter and understand how important Melvin was and what an amazing person he was," she said.

Two-hundred officers will work from the facility.