Mary DiNardo has filed a federal suit against Jersey City and the Chief of Police, Tom Comey

To Johnny there are really two parts to this story. First the procedural. Mary DiNardo, widow of Jersey City Detective Marc DiNardo, who was killed storming a Reed Street apartment on July 16, 2009, has filed a Federal suit against Jersey City and JCPD Chief Tom Comey.

The Jersey Journal points out the procedural wrangling in this case:

Barring extraordinary circumstances, Mary DiNardo had 90 days to give notice that she intended to sue, but she did not file the $10 million notice of tort until June 2010.

She argued the delay was due to her emotional distress and because the Police Department refused to give her a copy of its report on the fatal shooting of her husband. Loftis said police “stonewalled” the widow and still have not given her the report.

Messy horrible stuff. We feel terribly for Mrs. DiNardo. We also have an awful lot of respect for the JCPD who protect us from animals like Hassan Shakur and Amanda Anderson. There is however a looked over fact in this case that has bothered Johnny since that terrible day.

The second part has an awful lot to do with a quote from Sun Tzu's The Art of War "A skilled commander seeks victory from the situation and does not demand it of his subordinates." This very idea is part of Mrs. DiNardo's new lawsuit where it says "tactical decisions were made by someone untrained to do so." Now this MAY hold merit. Once Shakur and Anderson were holed up in their apartment and the rest of the Reed St. building had been evacuated, what exactly was the rush to go in? You then have all the time in the world to wait them out, strategize and not put Marc DiNardo and the other four officers who were shot into harm's way. The building was evacuated. The tactical choice is not to shoot your way into a room. The tactical choice would be to tear gas the room and wait for the two criminals to come out to YOUR fortified position. Make them come to you, don't bust in a door and make an easy target for a man with a shotgun. Police knew Shakur had a shotgun, he'd fired it at them as this situation began to unfold around 5:30 am as seen in this clip released by the JCPD. Yep, that's a shotgun alright.


It just makes no damned sense.

Chief Comey released a statement saying “We disagree completely with the allegations made by the attorney for Mrs. DiNardo and as this matter is still in litigation we are not going to comment any further other than to say that when all of the evidence and facts are presented, the city’s position will once again be affirmed.”

We had a feeling this sad day was coming, now we hope Mrs. DiNardo and her children can somehow find peace after this violent episode that has taken something from all of us here in Jersey City.

Fallen Jersey City Detective Marc DiNardo honored with school in his name

In a very very nice and worthy gesture, School 23 annex building, formerly known as old School 17 will be named after Detective DiNardo, who gave his life in the line of duty two years ago. Mary DiNardo, DiNardo's widow had been working with the school district to get his name on a school as a lasting memory she felt fitting due to the fact education was such an important part of her husband's life and the fact he was a life-long Jersey City resident.

The renaming ceremony will take place next Wednesday at 10 a.m. at 128 Duncan Ave.

We'll give the Jersey City Desk last word to Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey:

"He gave his life in service to the residents of the city."

The following crooks marched in the Jersey City St. Patrick's Day parade

Shame on Guy Catrillo, Michael Manzo and Philip J. Kenny, who all took dirty money from FBI informant Solomon Dwek and profaned the very spirit of the Jersey City St. Patrick's parade which was dedicated to the memory of Jersey City HERO Detective Marc DiNardo who lost his life protecting Jersey City residents from violent criminals last year. How dare these slimebags march with the parade dedicated to Mr. DiNardo. Chances are Marc DiNardo would have had no trouble arresting these lawbreakers and yet they felt the need to get out and be seen.

Maureen Hulings, vice chairwoman of the parade committee said she had no idea that Catrillo and Kenny planned to march. When asked why Manzo was allowed to march she said it would have been awkward to ask him not to since he'd worked on the parade committee previously. Hey, Maureen, grow a set and do what's right next time. You knew who the parade was dedicated to. Stand up and be counted or become part of the problem.

This afternoon, the Devils alumni are playing the JCPD in a fundraiser for the children of Marc DiNardo

Many former Devils greats will face off against the JCPD at the Prudential Center at 3 pm today in a fundraiser for the three children of slain Jersey City Detective Marc DiNardo. Some of the former Devils who are going to participate include Bruce Driver, Ken Daneyko, Grant Marshall, Chico Resch, Rob Skrlac, Valeri Zelepukin, Jim Dowd, Andy Brickley and Laurie Boschman.

Tickets are only $20 and the proceeds will be spilt evenly among DiNardo's three children. Over 3000 tickets have been sold already so come on Jersey City, let's get out to Newark and have a fantastic walk up gate, let's see if we can't get 5000 fans to The Rock this afternoon to help DiNardo's kids and honor one of our bravest.

I mean really, what were you going to do watch the Jets play one win Tampa Bay? The Giants play tonight so no sweat, plenty of time to get out on the old PATH train and do something positive.

Blood drive sites in honor of Marc DiNardo have been moved

The sites of the blood drive in honor of Jersey City police officer Marc DiNardo set for this Wednesday and Friday have been moved to accommodate the expected huge response. The new information is as follows:

Wednesday, July 22
9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Newport Towers (Brookfield Properties)
525 Washington Blvd. - 2nd Floor, Back half of Cafeteria
Jersy City
Site Contact: Tarek Singleton, (201) 653-5250

Friday, July 24
9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Newport Towers (Brookfield Properties)
525 Washington Blvd. - 2nd Floor, Back half of Cafeteria
Jersey City
Site Contact: Tarek Singleton, (201) 653-5250

Sadly, Jersey City police officer Marc DiNardo is expected to die from his wounds suffered in last weeks shootout

Johnny had this information a while ago from a source close to the Jersey City PD but respected the family's wishes to wait for an official announcement before posting anything. By far and away this is the saddest post Johnny has ever had to make here in Jersey City or back in Ypsilanti.

Truly a sad day in Jersey City, we are all lessened when something like this comes to pass. DiNardo will die a hero and will have died protecting us from the utter slime of society. DiNardo stood up and was counted when the time came to stand between the rest of us and evil.

We pass along our most sincere sympathy to his family and his family that is the Jersey City Police Department.