JACKSON, NJ — Family, fellow officers, friends, and community members gathered for a heartfelt highway dedication ceremony honoring fallen Police Officer Robert Ventura, whose legacy remains strong more than two decades after his passing.
Key Points
- Officer Robert Ventura was honored with a highway dedication on West Veterans Highway
- The ceremony was led by Jackson PD members and attended by family, officials, and regional law enforcement
- Ventura, also a fire captain, remains a central figure in the department’s culture more than 20 years after his passing
Held under sunny skies, the event marked the culmination of a nearly 18-month effort led by Detective Joseph Pante and Police Officer Kevin Chesney to name a stretch of West Veterans Highway in Ventura’s memory. Officer Chesney had trained alongside Ventura, while Detective Pante, though not a colleague, championed the cause to ensure Ventura’s sacrifice was never forgotten.
The ceremony featured remarks from those who served with Ventura, including Reverend Dan Schaeffer, Chief Matt Kunz, Director Joe Candido, and retired Captain Andrew Cheney, who emotionally reflected on the night Ventura lost his life. “Not a dry eye could be seen” as Cheney paid tribute to his fallen colleague.
Two highway signs were unveiled — one across from the Police Access Road and the other at the intersection of West Veterans Highway and Cassville Road — permanently marking Ventura’s name along the route he once served.
K9 Handler Officer Matt Jamison attended with his partner “K9 Robbie,” named in Ventura’s honor, while retired Jackson Police officers, the NJ State PBA President, and representatives from several regional police, fire, and EMS agencies joined in the tribute. Officer Ventura, also a Fire Captain at the time of his death, was remembered for his dual service.
Ventura’s family, including his daughter Ashley, now a police officer with the West Windsor Police Department, continue to participate in the annual Police Unity Tour ride to Maryland during Police Week, preserving his legacy.
Local businesses and municipal departments, including Jackson Public Works and the Ocean County Road Department, helped make the dedication possible, while area vendors provided refreshments to support the event.