Vigil held to honor fallen Jersey City officers

A candlelight vigil was held Monday night to honor Jersey City police officers that made the ultimate sacrifice. The vigil comes on the one-year anniversary of the death of Jersey City Det. Melvin Santiago.
The event capped off a whole day of honoring Det. Santiago, which began with the dedication of a new police precinct in honor of the fallen officer. 
Santiago was shot and killed last year while responding to a robbery at a Walgreens pharmacy on Communipaw Avenue.
He was 23 years old and had been on the force for just six months. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective.
The new police station is the first to be built in Jersey City in decades. City officials say it's a state-of-the-art facility that will forever serve as a memorial to Santiago and all of the other officers who have died in the line of duty.
At the vigil, Santiago's mother Cathy McBride says the day provided closure for her and her family following the death of her son.
"I don't want anyone to forget Melvin. He was special to me and my family since the day he was born, and now the world knows how amazing he is too," she says.
The vigil was organized by the Police Officers' Benevolent Association. A total of 39 Jersey City officers have been killed in the line of duty.