'He Made Us Proud': Slain Newark New Jersey Police Detective Came from Law Enforcement Family

On the wall of an upstairs bedroom in Nereida Vargas’ apartment are all the awards and commendations her son received while serving as a police officer in Newark.

The detective, who was killed Friday night, was awarded four command citations, a 2023 medal for excellence by the Newark Police Department, detailing a stop that resulted in the confiscation of two hand guns and a Newark 4th precinct citation for 2020. He also received a Newark Lodge Officer of the Month award in 2022.

“He made us proud,” his mom said, recalling that her son had decided he wanted to be a police officer from a young age.

Speaking from her home in Newark, which she shared with her son, and surrounded by family members, Vargas recalled how Joseph Anthony Azcona, not only dreamed of one day serving as a cop but specifically wanted to be a Newark police officer.

Azcona, who was a cop for five years, came from a family of police officers and firefighters, and was steadfast in desire to serve in his hometown, she said. After just two years as a patrol officer, Azcona made detective and chose to work in narcotics, but he still had a lot he wanted to achieve, his family said.

Next up on his list, his mother said, was to go through FBI training. He also had just taken an exam to be promoted up the ranks, she said.

Azcona, who was the youngest of several sons, loved playing video games on his PlayStation, when he was younger, his aunt said.

For all of the tension and conflict he encountered on the beat, he never brought the troubles of the workday home with him, Vargas said. Home was his “place of refuge,” she noted and as an adult he found comfort in his faith.

Still, he and his family, were always cognizant of the dangers he faced both as a Newark police officer and an undercover investigator, his aunt said.

In his off time, Azcona traveled to Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic since that was where his family was from, they said, noting he was proud of his heritage.

Azcona, 26, was shot to death on Friday about 6:30 p.m. while investigating illegal gun activity. He was still in his car when he was killed, according to Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens. His partner, who was outside of the car, was also shot and hospitalized.

Azcona died Saturday at 2:30 a.m. at University Medical Center in Newark. He was surrounded by family members, including his mother, at the hospital.

The identity of his partner, who is expected to recover, has not been released, and a spokesperson for the Newark Police Department said no additional information was available Sunday.

Azcona’s body was transported from the hospital to a local funeral home Saturday afternoon. Officers from around the state drove to Newark to line the streets in a show of solemn solidarity.

The show of support from the law enforcement community, particularly considering the cold temperatures, lifted the family’s spirits, his aunt said. “It’s a blue family,” she said.

Police took five people into custody Friday night following the shooting. A 14-year-old is charged with murder, attempted murder and weapons offenses.

The 14-year-old was hospitalized with minor injuries sustained during the shooting, police said.

One gun was recovered at the scene and investigators said Saturday they were interviewing all suspects.

The shooting occurred near a local elementary school, a church and a fast food restaurant a few blocks from the Passaic River.

Following the shooting, several public officials commented on the risks police face daily.

“Law enforcement officers leave their loved ones every day and put their lives on the line for the safety and wellbeing of our communities,” Essex County Sheriff Amir D. Jones said in a statement.

Gov. Phil Murphy called Azcona a hero and noted that the detective’s mother, father, brothers and other family members were at the hospital when the officer died.

“Just as brutal as it gets,” Murphy told reporters.

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