A mass of Christian burial was celebrated July 18 at St. Aloysius Church for Police Officer Melvin Vincent Santiago, 23. He died suddenly and in the line of duty on July 13.
Born in Hoboken, Santiago lived in upstate New York as a young boy, receiving his communion there at seven years old. Upon returning to Jersey City, Santiago attended PS 38 and Create Charter High School, always with the dream of following in the footsteps of his two uncles and becoming a Jersey City police officer.
Santiago was an All County Soccer Goalie, a member of the baseball team as well as a certified scuba diver. A complete sportsman and fan, Santiago also loved snowboarding and skiing as well as his favorite teams, the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bulls. As a devoted older brother, Santiago also enjoyed playing Pokemon and Play Station 4 with his younger brother Alexander, Jr. Santiago worked in the pharmacy at Target in Newport Center while taking classes in Criminal Justice at Hudson County Community College.
At the age of 18, Santiago took the test for the police department. In July of 2013, he realized his dream when he entered the Jersey City Police Academy. During the officer’s wake on Thursday, Mayor Steven Fulop announced Santiago would be promoted posthumously to detective and would receive the police department’s Medal of Honor.
Santiago is survived by his mother Catherine McBride and his step dad, Alexander McBride. He was the brother of Alexander McBride, Jr., Ta ‘Quana “TT” and Jordan, and the nephew of Frank DeFazio, Ret. JCPD (Sheena), godmother Marianne Romito, Renee Roselle (Joseph Roselle, Ret. JCPD), Vincent DeFazio, HC Corrections (Karen), Aggie Hernandez (Henry) and Jennie Soto (Willie). Services arranged by the McLaughlin Funeral Home, Jersey City.
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