New Jersey town honors ailing, recently retired Fil-Am police officer

Sgt. Joseph Luistro (center) is credited with helping diversify Edison, New Jersey’s police force. YOUTUBE

EDISON, New Jersey – Family, friends and colleagues tearfully honored Filipino American police sergeant Joseph Luistro on his retirement, wishing him well after 27 years of service, in which he was credited with helping diversify the township’s police force.

Luistro, who retired in September, is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that affects the central nervous system.

Members of the Edison Township Council led by Council President Joyce Ship-Freeman presented a proclamation to Luistro. Colleagues Police Sgt. Don Ship and Police Officers Neel Patel and Michael Gurovich shared sentiments as well as Council Vice President Sam Joshi and Councilman Joseph Coyle, reports CentralJersey.Com.

“It is truly humbling for me to stand here, albeit with a little assistance, and receive such a proclamation from Edison Township,” Luistro said at a ceremony held outside Town Hall early last month, according to CentralJersey.Com.

Luistro grew up in Jersey City, went Hudson Catholic High School and on to Rutgers University in New Brunswick. He was a firefighter with Piscataway Township. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus of St. Matthew’s Council and serves on the board of directors of the St. Matthew’s Philippine American Association in Edison.

Luistro joined the Edison Police Department in 1999 as the first officer of Filipino descent and rose to the rank of sergeant in 2016. He is the current president of the New Jersey Asian American Law Enforcement Association (NJAALEOA). Colleagues describe Luistro as a hard worker, humble, and well-liked, and that he helped diversify police forces across New Jersey through his work in NJAALEOA.

“It was not an easy decision to make,” he said. “It has been an honor and privilege to protect and serve as a proud member of the Edison Police Department. I am truly humbled … now let’s battle ALS.