The younger Newark cop executed throughout a gun sweep final week was a embellished detective — and simply an all-around “good child’’ who frequently helped out his neighbors.
Detective Joseph Azcona, 26, grew up in New Jersey’s largest metropolis and had been on the drive for 5 years when he was ambushed whereas nonetheless in his police automotive and shot within the head by a 14-year-old boy Friday night, prosecutors stated.
“I work at evening, so after I’m coming dwelling from work within the morning, [Azcona] can be leaving, and after I’m searching for a parking spot, he would all the time say, “Miss, would you like my spot?” resident Matilda Daa, 45, recalled to The Publish on Monday.
“He was a really good child,’’ she stated of her slain hero neighbor, who lived along with his mom.
Daa’s son even regarded as much as Azcona, she added.
“My little boy — when he sees him, he would say ‘Officer!’,” she stated.
Azcona and his accomplice have been responding to a 911 report of an individual with a gun at Carteret Road and Broadway within the Forest Hill part of Newark round 6:30 p.m. Friday when the teenager suspect began firing at them first, law-enforcement sources stated.
“I heard about six pictures, like quick pictures,’’ a employee on the close by McDonald’s advised The Publish on Monday — including there’s video of a minimum of a part of the shoot-out and that cops confiscated it.
“We don’t know the child as a result of you may’t see his face on the video,’’ stated the worker, who declined to present his identify.
A person who was driving his bike down the road on the time added, “I heard the pictures — actually loud.
“However I’m from right here, so I do know gun pictures after I hear them.
“Earlier than you understand it, all you see is cop vehicles flying down the block,’’ he stated. “I used to be driving to go dwelling, and a cop stopped me and advised me I needed to go across the block.”
Azcona took a deadly bullet from an computerized weapon whereas nonetheless sitting in his seat, authorities stated.
His funeral will likely be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. on the Cathedral Basilica Roman Catholic Church at 89 Ridge St. in Newark, the police division introduced Monday.
His accomplice, who was exterior the automotive on the time, additionally was shot, as was the 14-year-old accused shooter. Each the child and the wounded cop suffered non-life-threatening accidents, authorities stated.
Carmen Martin, spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Workplace, advised The Publish on Monday that the accused teen continues to be hospitalized.
“When he’s launched, he’ll be arraigned,’’ she stated.
Daa stated of the heinous slaying, “I noticed the information, however I didn’t comprehend it was my neighbor’s son.
“After I got here dwelling and everyone was [at the mom’s house], I used to be like, “What occur?” And so they advised me, ‘Her son died. The one within the police.’
She added: “I bear in mind my final time seeing him. I requested, ‘I haven’t seen you in your uniform, what occurred?’ He stated, ‘No, I’m a detective now.’ I stated, ‘Oh, my gosh, congratulations.’ ”
Azcona was made detective after simply two years on the job and earned quite a few awards throughout his quick however stellar profession.
He landed a 2023 medal for excellence from the police division for a visitors cease that netted two handguns, the Newark Lodge Officer of the Month in 2022 and a Newark 4th Precinct quotation in 2020, NJ.com reported.
He hoped to grow to be an FBI agent, his mother advised the outlet.
“I really feel dangerous for the household — the mother and the brothers,’’ Daa stated of Azcona’s kin. “They’re good folks ever since I moved to this group.”
As for the accused killer, “He’s younger, however he took anyone’s life, he took anyone’s youngster,’’ she stated.
“And this particular person’s life he took was a pleasant particular person.”
The bike-riding capturing witness who declined to present his identify stated of the accused teen killer, “I hope they wait until he’s 18 and attempt the him as an grownup.
“Drag the case out, and check out him as an grownup. His life is over, too.”
— Extra reporting by Steve Janoski
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