Trooper Cullen remembered as 'a leader'

Marquis Murden was at the gym in early March when he spotted one of his former assistant coaches, Sean Cullen, a New Jersey state trooper and wrestling legend at Cinnaminson High School.

Murden, 23, yelled Cullen's name. The trooper ran over and embraced him.

"He was like that person that was always glad to see you," Murden said.

The two hadn't caught up in some time. Cullen said he had a son and another child on the way. He was thrilled that the first child, 9 months old, was a boy.

Murden recalled that moment Sunday afternoon as he stood in line with more than 200 people beneath gray skies and a light rain outside St. Charles Borromeo Church in Cinnaminson, where Cullen's friends, family, and even those who never knew him came to pay their respects at his viewing.

Cullen, 31, was on duty, walking next to a crash scene in the southbound lanes of I-295 in West Deptford last Monday, when a car trying to pass the scene struck him around 8:15 p.m. He was flown to Cooper University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead early Tuesday.

The 22-year-old driver of the car that struck him stopped immediately. Authorities said she was cooperating with investigators and has not been charged.

Evesham Fire-Rescue Lt. Michael Robertson, among those in line Sunday, said he and his crew often assist troopers on the side of highways. The crash left him with a feeling that Cullen could have been any one of them.

"I felt like I lost a brother, even though I didn't know him personally," Robertson said.

Cullen was the third state trooper to die in the line of duty in 10 months, following Eli McCarson and Anthony Raspa, who also were in car accidents. Both were driving at the time.

Christopher Burgos, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association of New Jersey, said Cullen's death reminded troopers of the risks of traffic duty, which many have in their first years on the force.

"You can do everything right," Burgos said, and still something can go wrong, particularly if other drivers don't see a trooper or are distracted.

Ed Burke, whose son is a state trooper, said news of Cullen's death "took my breath away and dropped me to my knees." His family had lived a mile away from Cullen's family, and their children were friends growing up.

Another son, Kyle Burke, 26, said Cullen was modest about his athletic achievements, despite being the first wrestler to reach 100 wins at Cinnaminson High School and an all-American at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa.

"He knew how to handle being a leader," said the younger Burke, who lives in Delanco.

He called Cullen a role model, and recalled his humor and instant likability.

"He was your best friend as soon as you met him," Burke said.

Cullen, who had a fiancee, was born in 1985 in Dublin, Ireland, and came to the United States three years later. He grew up in Cinnaminson and graduated from high school there in 2003.

He worked police jobs in Sea Isle City, Mount Holly, and Westampton Township before becoming a state trooper in August 2014 - his dream job, family and friends said. He also helped coach Cinnaminson High School's wrestling team when he had time.

Cullen's older brother, Garrett, is a state police detective. His father, Eamonn, is the maintenance supervisor at the church where the viewing was held Sunday.

Another public viewing will be held Monday at the church, 2500 Branch Pike, from 8 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at noon. Interment will be at Lakeview Memorial Park.

mboren@phillynews.com

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