New Jersey State Police Trooper Marcellus E. Bethea, who died earlier this month while training to join the department’s elite response team, was recalled Wednesday for his years of dedicated service to his community as a sea of uniformed officers solemnly honored his memory.
“Marcellus had a personality that drew people in,” his wife Katarzyna Bethea said through tears during her eulogy in a packed Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Bordentown City.
“One of the things I loved most about Marcellus was his unwavering support and love for others,” she said. “He had a way of making you feel like you could conquer the world and he was always there to cheer you on no matter how big or small the accomplishment.”
He was dedicated to family and his career as a trooper, she said. Their daughter, Bella, turned 2-years-old this month, according to a fundraiser started to benefit his family.
“He adored our daughter, Bella, and would do anything to make her smile,” Bethea said. “Marcellus, you were my rock, my best friend, and my soulmate. I’m forever grateful for every moment we had together, and I will carry your love with me always.”
Bethea, 33, a resident of Florence, died May 5 at State Police headquarters in Ewing during the training for the Technical Emergency and Mission Specialist unit that includes a scuba dive response team. Additional details about his cause of death have not been released.
Darrus Bethea remembered his brother as someone he looked up to and noted that his tragic death occurred as he tried to improve his ability to serve as a trooper.
“He died striving to be better,” Darrus Bethea said. “He was trying to achieve new heights to serve others.”
Gov. Phil Murphy called Bethea “a courageous public servant who embodied the best of New Jersey.”
Murphy noted Bethea’s early ambition to join the State Police as he participated in Trooper Youth Week when he was in high school at Northern Burlington Regional High School and his enrollment to join the State Police at age 21.
Bethea spent time on Murphy’s security detail. He also served eight years in the State Police’s Moorestown barracks.
“The word ‘protect’ is all too appropriate when it comes to Marcellus Bethea,” Murphy said. “Because that word perfectly describes his life’s mission - protecting others. To all of you whose hearts are broken in the wake of this tragic loss, please know that I and the people of New Jersey are here for you.”
Murphy ordered flags across the state lowered to half-staff to honor Bethea’s service.
Police officers from as far away as Missouri, Ohio and Michigan joined New Jersey law enforcement from throughout the state to honor Bethea’s line of duty death.
Bethea’s friend and fellow trooper, Sam Liebman, shared stories about how Bethea found enjoyment in simple things like purchasing a new lawn mower or simply taking a moment to appreciate life.
“He enjoyed lots of activities, but he also just loved a good sit,” Liebman said, sharing a story about how Bethea once planned an exciting night out in college, but after sitting down, never got back up to hit the town.
Liebman also shared a moment of levity about how he and Bethea, who had known each other since the fifth grade, evolved into their fathers.
“We used to make fun of our dads for doing dad stuff, like being excited over a new lawnmower,” Liebman added. “It was just last week that we were talking about his new zero-turn lawn mower, and he was talking about it like it was the most exciting thing in the world. And then there’s me who wanted to know everything about this lawnmower. We became our fathers.”
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X.
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