The Jersey City Police Department paid tribute to two officers who died on Christmas 12 years ago.

During the memorial, a minute of silence was held to remember the moment that officers Shawn Carson and Robert Nguyen lost their lives.

Carson and Nguyen were members of the emergency Service Unit.  On Dec. 25, 2005, their vehicle plunged into the Hackensack River from the Lincoln Highway Bridge.

“They were delivering flares as the bridge was malfunctioning...to keep people safe and when coming over they drove off the open bridge and into the water,” said Jersey City Deputy chief Daniel Sollitti.

The bridge on Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City was renamed in their honor in 2007.