HAMILTON TRAGEDY
Off-duty Hamilton Police officer, P.A.L. official, dies in crash
A fatal crash Monday has claimed the life of an offduty police officer.
Mercer County Prosecutors have confirmed that their Serious Collision Response Team is investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred around 4 p.m. on Nottingham Way in Hamilton.
Several sources, including numerous police sources, told The Trentonian that the victim was Hamilton Police officer Tom White, who had been on the force for over 10 years, but Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has not confirmed.
The crash occurred at the five-points intersection on Nottingham Way.
An outpouring of grief was seen on social media as the community started to talk about losing White, who was a P.A.L. Town Safety Officer and was adored by students at the schools he worked with. Dozens, if not hundreds of posts hit Facebook mourning the loss of one of Hamilton’s Finest.
One parent told The Trentonian that several students at Reynolds Middle School are organizing a “wear blue” tribute for Officer White. The parent said her sons adored White and described him as loved throughout the community. She hoped that as many students would participate in the tribute to show support for his family and the Hamilton Police Department.
White’s childhood friend Ron Cefalone told The Trentonian that the officer was, “always a happy guy and would make everyone laugh when he walked in a room.”
“I remember when Hamilton Police made him an offer of employment,” Cefalone said. “He couldn’t be happier. He was going to serve a town he grew up in.”
Prosecutors said that one other vehicle was involved besides the officer’s vehicle, but no other injuries were reported.
The cause of the accident is currently being investigated.