The sun began to shine through an overcast sky for the dedication of the Hamilton Park gazebo to murdered Jersey City police officer Dominick Infantes Tuesday. Police and city officials joined local residents to honor an officer who once patrolled the very same park before his tragic death in July of 2001.
"When a child plays in this park in the future, he will know that a man who cared about children was here," said Mayor Glenn Cunningham at the morning dedication ceremony.
Police Department Director James Carter commented on the close connection between the park and Officer Infantes.
"It is fitting that the park which gave so much pleasure to the area should be dedicated to Dominick Infantes," said Carter.
Infantes, 29 at the time of his death, had been a seven-year veteran of the Jersey City Police Department when he was killed on the Fourth of July while attending a friend’s party on Williams Street. According to police reports, a group of people next door to the party Infantes was attending were setting off firecrackers, nearly hitting a child. After identifying himself as a police officer, Infantes attempted to get suspects Benjamin Gavina, 42, and Alfredo Gavina, 40, to stop setting off fireworks. The Gavina brothers were charged with allegedly attacking Infantes with lead pipes in the altercation that ensued.
Police arrived minutes later and found Infantes in a coma from the beating he received. The officer remained unconscious for two days before being taken off life support.
Also on hand for the dedication were Infantes’ parents, Carol and Dominick Sr., and his brother Erik. Erik Infantes was sworn onto the Jersey City police force in February.
"This is great for the people of the area to keep Dominick’s memory," said Erik Infantes. "The dedication of the gazebo is a lasting tribute to my brother and important to my family."
According to Erik Infantes, his brother joined the police in 1994. After working in the Jersey City housing projects, Dominick Infantes transferred to the neighborhood around Hamilton Park.
"Everyone loved Dominick," said Robin Pinkowitz, a resident of the Hamilton Park area. "People would complain about every officer that was assigned to our block, but no one ever complained about Dominick."
Pinkowitz remembered Infantes as an officer who cared about the children and teenagers who used the park.
"He was always looking to help the children around here," Pinkowitz said. "He’ll be missed."
Always helping
Infantes’ charitable activities went on even before he was assigned to the Hamilton Park area.
"During the year and a half he was out in housing, he was always geared up to help people," said Louis DeSteffano, Infantes’ patrol partner. "At Christmas, he would take all the toys he collected to the Montgomery Towers projects."
DeSteffano said Infantes was always positive in his outlook, no matter what happened while he was on duty. "In this job, you tend to get cynical, but he didn’t," DeSteffano said. "Dominick was never in a bad mood."
Pinkowitz said that one time, Infantes saw two kids on bicycles without helmets and discovered they had none.
"He made sure those kids had helmets," said Pinkowitz. "His ability to communicate with people was amazing."
Pinkowitz said the efforts by the community to rename the gazebo in honor of Infantes began soon after his death.
"Councilman Junior Maldonado got the resolution started to dedicate the gazebo to Dominick and the community didn’t think twice, they were right behind it," he explained.
According to Pinkowitz, the 9-11 tragedy sidelined the dedication efforts temporarily.
"We decided to wait until the one year anniversary of Dominick’s death," said Pinkowitz
The Infantes family received a plaque commemorating the dedication of the gazebo. A duplicate plaque will be installed in gazebo.
"We’re very glad this happened today," said Dominick Infantes Sr. "Dominick would have been very happy."