Funeral set for Thursday for state trooper killed in crash

TRENTON (AP) — Funeral plans for a New Jersey state trooper killed when his cruiser struck a deer have been finalized.

State police say the funeral for 24-year-old Anthony Raspa will be Thursday at St. Matthais Church on Kennedy Boulevard in Somerset at 11 a.m.

The family has asked that the church service remain private.

“Anthony Raspa was an outstanding trooper and role model. He was highly regarded by his peers and supervisors alike and had limitless potential in his chosen profession. We are devastated by his passing, said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. "His family will always remain a part of our State Police family,”

State Police Capt. Stephen Jones says Raspa and partner Gene Hong were patrolling eastbound on a stretch of I-195 in Monmouth County when their Ford Crown Victoria struck the deer. The car ran off the side of the road and hit a tree. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

The 29-year-old Hong was treated at a hospital for lacerations and a neck injury and has been released.

Spotkesman Sgt. Jeff Flynn tells NJ.com both officers were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.

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