Holly MatkinStaten Island, NY – New York City Department of Corrections (DOC) Correction Officer Edward Roman died on April 13 after jumping from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
The 38-year-old correction officer drove partway across the bridge just after 6:30 a.m., then parked his vehicle and plunged into the water below, according to the Staten Island Advance.
Witnesses who saw Correction Officer Roman jump from the bridge called 911, the New York Daily News reported.
New York Police Department (NYPD) divers and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene and pulled the correction officer from the water, according to the New York Post.
An NYPD spokesperson said Correction Officer Roman was still alive at the time, but that he died shortly after being transported to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze, the Staten Island Advance reported.
“Edward Roman served this city and this department honorably as a Correction officer for 10 years,” Correction Commissioner Louis Molina told the Staten Island Advance. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones.”
Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA) President Benny Boscio said Correction Officer Roman “was well liked and respected by his fellow officers,” according to the news outlet.
“He had his whole life and career ahead of him,” Boscio added.
The union president said Correction Officer Roman’s death serves as a “solemn reminder of the enormous stress correction officers face on a daily basis,” the Staten Island Advance reported.
“The worsening conditions in our jails doesn’t just affect the inmates,” Boscio added. “Our officers go to work every day not knowing if they will return home the same way they left. They go to work every day not knowing if they will miss time with their loved ones because they are forced to work a double or triple shift.”
Correction Officer Roman joined the DOC on Dec. 22, 2011, and was assigned to the North Infirmary Command at Rikers Island at the time of his death, the New York Daily News reported.
He leaves behind a young son, according to a fundraising page established to help his family in the wake of their loss.
“Our hearts are broken and our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Roman’s family and his fellow officers,” Boscio said in a statement to the New York Post.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of New York City Department of Corrections Correction Officer Edward Roman, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
