Teen Charged With Killing NJ Cop Faces New Charges
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) -- Police are crediting tips from the public for helping them charge a suspected cop killer in a second homicide.
Jahmell Crockam and a co-defendant, Darius Johnson, appeared in court Friday afternoon to face murder charges in the October 2010 shooting death of Justin Williams, of Jackson Township, whose body was found dumped on a Lakewood street corner.
Word of the new charges came Thursday as the funeral began for Patrolman Christopher Matlosz. Information leading to the new murder charge was developed as police investigated the slaying of the officer. Authorities said Marlosz was gunned down as he sat in his patrol car and talked to Crockam one week ago.
Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said the 19-year-old and Darius Johnson accompanied Williams, where Williams was shot to death. Prosecutors didn't say who pulled the trigger.
"We're here to support him and the fellow officers in the state and the country," said Officer Tim Groves of West Orange at Matlosz' funeral Thursday.
Like many present at the funeral, Detective Sergeant Pat McCormick with the Yonkers Police Department didn't know Officer Matlosz personally. Matlosz, a 27-year-old who had recently gotten engaged was gunned down Friday night while on patrol.
"Anytime you have an officer, especially killed in the line of duty, we want to show support for him and his family and come out," McCormick said.
"It's a tough thing to be at, but we're all brothers in blue, no matter what state we're in," said Officer Jose Alvarez of West Orange.
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1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports from the fallen officer's funeral
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WCBS 880 Reporter Levon Putney talks with Lakewood Police Chief about the killed officer
Inside the church, the officer's fiancée spoke about her unbearable loss, reports CBS 2's Christine Sloan.
"He was my best friend, my world, my life," Kelly Walsifer said. "I never could have imagined living without him."
Walsifer told family and friends about how she wanted to spend the rest of her life with the 27-year-old officer.
"The day he proposed to me was one of the happiest moments of my life," Walsifer said.
Walsifer described Officer Matlosz as a dedicated cop who lived life to the fullest.
"I'm blessed to have had an amazing fiancé, and a best friend that so many people loved and cherished," Walsifer said.
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