Yesterday, the roadside memorial in honor of Trooper Bertram T. Zimmerman, III, located on State Highway 83, in Dennis Township, Cape May County, sustained a savage desecration and vandalization by “a cowardly vandal or group of vandals,” according to the New Jersey State police.

Trooper Zimmerman served with the New Jersey State Police with honor and distinction and was assigned to a special task force in 2004, in response to a string of armed robberies of convenience stores in the Dennis Township area.  T

rooper Zimmerman, in his brave response to a robbery call made the ultimate sacrifice after his troop car struck a utility pole on State Highway 83.

The three state police unions, the State Troopers Fraternal Association, the State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association, and the State Troopers Superior Officers Association stated jointly that the disrespect or degradation of our state troopers and all men and women who serve in law enforcement will not be tolerated.

“Moreover, the blatant disrespect and vandalism of a monument standing to honor Trooper Zimmerman is beyond offensive and we will go to great lengths to bring these actors to justice,” the state police said in a release. “We will not allow the memory of the honor in which Trooper Zimmerman served or any other trooper or law enforcement officer for that matter, who made the ultimate sacrifice be degraded.  In addition, we stand tall and support the Zimmerman family and the entire state police family after these deplorable actions.

“Therefore, the State Troopers Fraternal Association, the State Troopers Non-Commissioned Officers Association, and the State Troopers Superior Officers Association are offering a reward of $5000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the classless actors who perpetrated this heinous crime.”