N.J. Admin. Code § Executive Order No. 335 (2023)

Current through Register Vol. 57, No. 1, January 6, 2025

Section - Executive Order No. 335 (2023)

Governor Philip D. Murphy

Executive Order No. 335 (2023)

An Order Directing that Flags Be Flown at Half-Staff in Recognition of and Mourning of Two Brave and Loyal New Jersey Heroes, Firefighters Augusto "Augie" Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr.

Issued: July 6, 2023.

Effective: July 6, 2023.

WHEREAS, Augusto "Augie" Acabou, age 49, was a member of the Newark Fire Department assigned to Engine 16, Tour 1; and

WHEREAS, Wayne Brooks, Jr., age 45, was also a member of the Newark Fire Department assigned to Ladder 4, Tour 1; and

WHEREAS, Augusto Acabou served as a firefighter for over 9 years with honorable devotion, remarkable courage, exceptional professionalism, loyalty, and commitment to the city of Newark and this State; and

WHEREAS, Wayne Brooks, Jr. served as a firefighter for over 16 years, also with honorable devotion, remarkable courage, exceptional professionalism, loyalty, and commitment to the city of Newark and this State; and

WHEREAS, on July 5, 2023, firefighters Acabou and Brooks were part of the many brave firefighters that responded to a fire aboard a cargo ship docked at Port Newark Container Terminal; and

WHEREAS, firefighters Acabou and Brooks both lost their lives while courageously battling the blaze aboard the cargo ship, which left a number of other firefighters injured; and

WHEREAS, firefighter Augusto Acabou is survived by his parents and two brothers; and

WHEREAS, firefighter Wayne Brooks, Jr. is survived by his wife, daughter, and step-daughter; and

WHEREAS, both firefighters will be deeply missed by their families, friends, fellow members of the Newark Fire Department, and all firefighters; and

WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of firefighters Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr., while keeping the other firefighters who were injured in our prayers; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the sacrifices and bravery of firefighters Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr.;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Friday, July 7, 2023, in recognition and mourning of two brave and loyal New Jersey heroes, firefighters Augusto "Augie" Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr.

2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

N.J. Admin. Code Executive Order No. 335 (2023)

Published 7/6/2023 in the New Jersey Register at 55 N.J.R. 1565(a).